Urban Trek: Mount Royal & Bankview

Here’s another enjoyable in-the-city hike taking in the neighbourhoods of Mount Royal and Bankview, as mentioned in the title, along with some of Sunalta and a chunk of the Beltline. Along the way those following this route will pass many old homes just chock full of personality, some of them palatial mansions dating back to the city’s early days, along with old time office and business blocks. Lots to see if you look. And of course they’ll be many places where you can duck away for a coffee or lunch.

For us it’s a spring visit, a recent dump of snow giving the impression that winter would seemingly never ever end. It held on good in the first quarter of 2018. We do urban treks at times like this. So grab a jacket, put on some sturdy shoes and let’s get moving. And when done, some hours later, you’ll be back to where you started.

There’s no cost, no restriction parking at the playground on 16th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues Southwest, just down from the Sunalta LRT station. This is a good place to start. Feet on the ground head out.

Go south on 16th Street and on reaching 13th Avenue, at that orange-ish coloured apartment block, turn left. Pass many old houses dating back to the 1910s and 1920s. When you author was a teen we lived not far away. Back then it was less desirable part of town and so was a good fit for my family. The community has since been cleaned up a bit…and is not all that gentrified…so far.

Hit 14th Street and go right. Along here we see an Alberta Wheat Pool Birdhouse. That firm is but a memory as are most of the grain elevators they once owned. And over there, from Russia, a Lada Niva mini 4×4. We heard they’re actually quite the little beasts, well regarded, with good capabilities and easy to keeping running and fix. Used to see them all the time, but this one’s the first in a while.

Right on 14th Street, past Sacred Heart church from 1910, then left on 14th Avenue. On reaching 11th Street, it’s a right, and soon in pass an old business block. On the north end (on our visit) there’s a section that’s been empty for a few years. It’s pretty run down and we suspect under threat of being demolished. On the far end, Kalamata Grocery, with all manner of food from Greece and The Middle East. Good cheese and olive selections to be had there. It’s a cramped little place and so old school. That retro vibe. It seems little changed from when you author used to pop in here in the 1970s.

Left on 17th Avenue and right on 10th Street. Many apartment blocks then it’s into Mount Royal. In the early days this is where all the big wheels lived and it’s still quite prestigious. Stroll past many mansions of brick and stone plopped down on acreage sized lots. Many houses here go back a hundred years or so. There’s some steep sections of sidewalk and on the day of our visit, many were iced over and slippery. Careful!

The road meanders left and on reaching Prospect Avenue go right. More fine houses and we’re lost in the moment. Come to 14th Street and point left. Some business blocks a century old and many shops. Lots of ice along this section this day. One wrong move and it’s twisted ankle or broken hip.

A left at Premier Way. Soon in arrive at the “Castle House”, a most unique dwelling that we got to go tour in late in 2018. And it’s just as interesting inside as it is out. Article in the works.

Right on 10th Street and again on Levis Avenue, soon in a left on Carleton Street and almost immediately jog right on Council Way. Come to 14th Street and turn right on the far side. Pass the library and fire hall. Sad to see the iconic Spider Bug gone, a VW Beetle with giant steel legs that sat in front of a repair shop and a fixture along this road for decades. We found out it’s since been relocated to a nearby Starbucks after being in storage for while. Across the street! That yellow house…it matches the jacket! Later we’d see an equally loud yellow car. Not the most common colour for home or ride. Or clothing.

There’s some places to chow down along here – we picked a pub to have some wings and beer and play a little pinball. We did our homework (pinballmap.com) and found out there was a machine at the Bankview Pub, so we made planned to make it our stop. Wizard of Oz, the first time we’ve played it. We liked it even if our scores were pathetic. In the old days we’d have shown the machine who’s boss.

Left on 25th Avenue, and in quick succession a right on 15th Street, a left in 24th Avenue, a right in 16th Street, left on 23rd Avenue, then a left in 16a Avenue. Whew! And why’d we make it so confusing? It’s what we do!

Many more old houses here, generally more humble than those seen in Mount Royal earlier. Bankview, the neighbourhood you’re now in, was more blue collar in the day. The area is hilly, which if ice is present, and it was on our outing, can make things a bit challenging and dangerous. Some homes have crazy steep yards. How do you mow them? Lots of 1960s era apartments blocks here too. Plain and box shaped they lack any sort of character what so ever. You author lived in one very near here way back when.

Come to 17th Avenue and turn right. Down the hill come to 14th Street again and turn left. Lots of food options in this area. Know Tim’s grocery well. I think it’s was called Tom’s back when I used to frequent it in the ’70s and ’80s. We pick up some lotto tickets, as we do at every independent corner store. It’s a thing. Didn’t win. But then you knew that or you’d have long since heard us bragging how we hit the big time back in March. No Porsche for us.

Sacred Heart again, a most impressive church. One day I think we should go in. Left on 14th Avenue. An early 1980s Malibu Station Wagon is passed. Don’t see many of those. We have a four door sedan version, same model year and a bit of a rust bucket, that was road worthy until recently (and always passed inspection), but has since come down with some ailments from disuse. Not sure what to do with it, but we hate to send it the scrap yard. I suspect there’s a project car in there. It has an interesting history too. Google “Iraqibu”.

Pass more old time homes, snow bound bikes and a number of those “little libraries”. Right in 16th Street, left on 12th Avenue, right on 17th Street, a quick duck into One Way Grocery for more lotto (didn’t win again) and finally right on 10th Avenue. And in mere moments you’re back where your started, and happier and healthier for it. Win win. Now if only the scratchie tickets gods had been on our side.

There you have it, good times and adventure in the city. Follow our route to the letter or better still use it as a rough guide. Mix it up and explore further afield. Till next time…

In the city…
Calgary’s Best Walks #20 (sorta).
Centre Street: Back in Time.
Interesting Inglewood.

If you wish more information about this route, by all means contact us!

Date of adventure: March 2018.
Location: Calgary, AB.
Distance: 8km if you follow our route.
Height gain maximum: 80m.
Height gain cumulative: 150m
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate.

Starting out in Sunalta.

It’s spring but looks more like winter.

Gargoyles on guard.

Lots of old houses along this section.

The Pool lives on.

All the way from Russia.

Sacred Heart.

Some random power box…

A gut feeling tells us this building is doomed.

It’s been empty for some time now.

HQ for cheeses and olives.

A fine old house in Mount Royal.

Watch that step.

Crazy growth.

Big lots in this part of town.

Lost and loving it.

Along 14th.

A most pleasant day.

Later in the year we got to go inside!

At the 14th Street Fire Hall.

A match!

Beer, wings and…

…Pinball!

A most enjoyable game.

And we walked away defeated.

Down this street in Bankview…

Must be a pain to mow!

Tim’s brought us no luck.

This church is from 1910.

We have a four door.

Not going anywhere soon.

Connie looks for a good read.

Almost…

And no winners here either.

The route….star=start.