Tucked away near the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers is a small log building that predates almost everything we think of as modern Calgary. The Hunt House, located near Fort Calgary, is recognized as Calgary's oldest surviving building on its original site. It was built sometime between 1876 and 1881, although the exact date isn't known.

That makes the Hunt House considerably older than most of Calgary's historic homes. When it was built, Calgary wasn't even a town yet. Fort Calgary had only been established in 1875, and the settlement that would eventually become the city was still little more than a collection of trading posts, cabins and other small buildings.

A Hudson's Bay Company connection

The Hunt House was part of the Hudson's Bay Company's early presence in the area. It was likely built as a residence for one of the company's employees, possibly an interpreter or freighter, although the exact history of the original occupants isn't certain. The building is one of the few surviving reminders of the small community that developed around Fort Calgary in those early years.

The house itself is remarkably simple: a small, one-storey log structure with a gable roof and later additions. Its construction is particularly interesting because the logs use dovetail corners, a style associated with southern Alberta and influenced by American building traditions.

From frontier settlement to modern Calgary

It is difficult to imagine what the area around the Hunt House looked like when it was built. Calgary's population was tiny, there were few permanent buildings and the railway had not yet arrived.

The Canadian Pacific Railway reached Calgary in 1883, helping transform the small settlement into an increasingly important centre. Over the following decades, streets, businesses and neighbourhoods developed around the original settlement, eventually leaving the Hunt House surrounded by a city that bears little resemblance to the Calgary of the 1870s.

Remarkably, the house remained on its original site throughout that transformation.

The building was eventually occupied by William Hunt, a railway worker who purchased the property in 1947 and lived there until the 1970s. It was subsequently returned to the City of Calgary and preserved as an important part of the city's early history.

Today, the Hunt House is a Provincial Historic Resource and remains one of Calgary's most important surviving links to the city's earliest years.

Why the Hunt House matters

The Hunt House isn't a grand mansion or an elaborate Victorian home. In fact, its significance comes partly from how ordinary it is.

It is a small log house that managed to survive while Calgary grew from a frontier settlement into a major Canadian city. It gives us a physical connection to a period when the city was only beginning to take shape, and it is a reminder that Calgary's history goes back much further than the streets and neighbourhoods most of us recognize today.

There is a lot to like about an older Calgary home. The houses tend to have more individual character, established yards, interesting floor plans and details that are increasingly difficult to find in newer construction. But buying an older home also means accepting that some of its systems and materials have been around for a long time.

That doesn't necessarily mean the house is in poor condition. A well-maintained 100-year-old home can be in considerably better shape than a poorly maintained house that is only 20 years old. The difference is that when you're buying a century home or another older property, there are certain things worth paying particular attention to.

Some of these issues are simply the result of age. Others are the result of renovations carried out over the decades, or systems that were once considered perfectly normal but are now outdated.

Here are some of the most common things buyers should be aware of when looking at older homes in Calgary.

Older electrical systems

Electrical work is one of the first things worth investigating in an older house. Calgary's oldest homes were built at a time when electricity was either new or being introduced into residential neighbourhoods, and the electrical systems in those houses were never designed for the demands of modern life.

Some older homes may still contain outdated wiring, while others have had their electrical systems partially or completely upgraded over the years. A house may therefore have a modern electrical panel but older wiring elsewhere in the home.

This is one of those areas where an inspection can tell you considerably more than simply looking at the panel.

If you're buying an older home, it's worth finding out when the electrical system was last substantially upgraded, what type of wiring is present and whether previous renovations were properly permitted. The City of Calgary requires electrical permits for new wiring and for alterations or extensions to existing branch-circuit wiring.

Galvanized plumbing

Plumbing is another area where age can matter.

Galvanized steel water piping was commonly used in Calgary homes before about 1960. The problem with galvanized pipe isn't that it suddenly fails because it reaches a certain age; rather, the interior of the pipe can gradually corrode and become restricted over time. This can result in reduced water pressure, poor flow and eventually leaks. The City of Calgary specifically identifies galvanized steel waterline piping as an issue homeowners of older properties should be aware of.

You may also encounter a mixture of old and new plumbing in a house that has been renovated several times. A bathroom renovated ten years ago doesn't necessarily mean that all of the home's plumbing was replaced at the same time.

This is a good example of why it is important to look beyond the kitchen and bathrooms when evaluating an older house.

Lead water service lines

Calgary has another plumbing issue that is particularly relevant to some pre-war and early post-war homes.

Lead service connections were used in Calgary for a relatively short period, primarily from 1939 to 1947, when copper was difficult to obtain during the Second World War. The City notes that the majority of water service pipes, including those in homes built before 1950, are copper, so the age of the house alone does not mean it has a lead service line.

Still, homes from this period are worth checking.

The private portion of the water service line is the homeowner's responsibility, so knowing what material connects the house to the municipal water system can be an important part of understanding an older property.

Foundations and moisture

A basement can tell you a lot about an old house.

Older Calgary homes can have foundation systems and basement construction that differ considerably from what you would see in newer construction. More importantly, a foundation that has been exposed to moisture for decades can develop problems that aren't necessarily obvious from the main living areas.

Cracks, dampness, staining, efflorescence, musty smells and evidence of previous water intrusion are all worth investigating. None of these automatically means that a house has a serious foundation problem, but they are reasons to look more closely.

Water management around the outside of the house matters just as much. Grading, downspouts, drainage and the condition of the foundation itself all play a role in keeping a basement dry.

For an older house, the basement isn't just another room to look at during a showing. It is one of the places where you can often see the history of the building.

Insulation and energy efficiency

Older homes were built before modern insulation standards and before energy efficiency became a major consideration in residential construction.

That can mean colder exterior walls, drafts around windows and doors, poorly insulated attics and higher heating requirements. Some homes have since been upgraded substantially, while others remain much closer to their original construction.

Windows deserve particular attention. Replacing old windows can improve comfort, but it can also mean losing original wood windows and other architectural details that contribute to the character of an older home. There isn't always a simple answer about what should be replaced and what should be preserved.

A good older-home renovation often involves finding a balance between improving how the house performs and retaining the things that make it special.

Asbestos

Asbestos is not unique to century homes, but it is something buyers and renovators should understand when dealing with older construction.

Alberta Health Services notes that homes built before the mid-1980s may contain asbestos in materials such as drywall compound, ceiling tiles, insulation and floor tiles. Alberta's occupational health guidance also identifies materials including plaster, roofing products, pipe insulation, vermiculite insulation and vinyl flooring as possible sources.

The important distinction is that the presence of asbestos-containing material does not automatically mean there is an immediate problem. The greater concern generally arises when these materials are disturbed during renovation, demolition or maintenance.

If you're planning significant work on an older house, determining whether suspect materials are present before starting demolition can save a lot of trouble later.

Older furnaces and heating systems

The heating system is another obvious place where age catches up with a house.

Some older Calgary homes have already had their original heating systems replaced several times. Others may still have older furnaces, boilers or ductwork.

A furnace doesn't become unsafe simply because it is old, but an older system may be less efficient, closer to the end of its useful life or more difficult and expensive to replace. The same applies to other mechanical systems throughout the house.

When looking at an older property, it is worth finding out not only whether the furnace is working, but also its age, maintenance history and whether there are other components of the heating system that may eventually require attention.

Roofs, windows and exterior maintenance

The exterior of an older house has been exposed to Calgary's weather for decades, so routine maintenance matters.

Roofing materials eventually need replacement, exterior woodwork can deteriorate and old windows may require repair or replacement. Siding and trim can also conceal areas of rot or water damage if they haven't been properly maintained.

One advantage of older homes, however, is that many of these components can be repaired rather than simply discarded. Original wood windows, doors, trim and other exterior details can sometimes be restored, which may be preferable for owners who want to retain the character of the house.

Renovations that were done over the years

Sometimes the biggest problem with an old house isn't what was originally built—it is what happened afterward.

A century-old home may have been renovated several times by several different owners. One owner may have updated the kitchen, another may have finished the basement, and another may have added a bathroom or altered the electrical and plumbing systems.

Some of those renovations may have been excellent. Others may have been done without permits or without considering how the changes affected the rest of the house.

This is one of the reasons the history of an older home can be so interesting. You're not just looking at a building from 1910 or 1920; you're looking at a building that has been modified repeatedly over generations.

The important thing is not to be afraid of old houses

None of this means that buying a century home is a bad idea.

In fact, these issues are part of what makes buying an older house different from buying a new one. With a new home, you're primarily concerned with the quality of the original construction and the builder. With an older home, you're also looking at everything that has happened to the property since it was built.

That history can work in your favour.

A house that has had its electrical system upgraded, plumbing replaced, foundation maintained, roof renewed and insulation improved may be a much more appealing purchase than a house that has simply been left alone for 100 years.

The best older homes aren't necessarily the ones that have remained untouched. Often, they're the ones that have been well cared for and thoughtfully updated without losing the qualities that made the house worth keeping in the first place.

That is ultimately what makes buying an older Calgary home so interesting. You're not buying something that was designed to look old. You're buying a house that has actually been here, in some cases, for generations.

The key is understanding what you're getting into, knowing which improvements have already been made, and identifying what the house may need next.

What Is a Century Home?

When most people hear the term “century home,” they probably think of a house that is at least 100 years old. That's the straightforward definition, and technically it's correct. A home built in 1926 has reached its century, while one built in 1927 has not.

When we're talking about Calgary's older housing, however, the distinction isn't quite that simple. There are a large number of homes built in the decades leading up to the Second World War that may not technically be a century old yet, but belong to the same period of Calgary's residential history. For that reason, CalgaryCenturyHomes.ca generally considers homes built before 1945 when we're talking about century and historic homes.

The 1945 cutoff isn't arbitrary. It corresponds with an important change in the way Calgary was developing, and it is also a date used by the City of Calgary in its approach to many heritage and character properties. That doesn't mean a house built in 1944 is inherently more important than one built in 1946. Rather, it gives us a practical boundary for looking at Calgary's early residential neighbourhoods and the houses that give them much of their character.

Does a century home have to be original?

This is where things get more interesting. A house doesn't have to be untouched for the past hundred years to be worth calling a century home. In fact, it would be unusual to find a house that old that hasn't been changed in some way. Kitchens have been replaced, bathrooms modernized, electrical systems upgraded, windows replaced and floor plans altered to suit the people who have lived there over the years.

Personally, I don't think those changes diminish what makes an old house interesting. There is something particularly appealing about finding a 1910s or 1920s house that has been thoughtfully updated while retaining its original proportions, exterior character and some of its craftsmanship. You get the advantages of a modernized home without giving up everything that made the house distinctive in the first place.

At the same time, there is a completely different appeal to a home that has retained much of its original interior. Original woodwork, doors, floors, hardware and other details can tell you a great deal about how the house was built and how people lived when it was new. Some buyers will want as much of that as possible, while others will be perfectly happy with a thoroughly modern interior. Neither approach is wrong.

Long before Calgary became the city it is today, Inglewood was already developing as one of its earliest communities.

Beginning in the 1880s, the area grew into a busy working-class district shaped by industry, railways, businesses and its location along the Elbow River. 9th Avenue became the heart of the community, and many of the buildings and homes that appeared during this period still help define Inglewood today.

In this video, I visit several of Inglewood's notable historic locations to see what these places look like today and learn a little about their past.

Fire Hall No. 3

Built in 1906, Fire Hall No. 3 served Inglewood for nearly half a century. After the fire department moved out, the building went through several different uses before eventually becoming The Hose & Hound, allowing the historic building to remain part of the neighbourhood.

Alexander School

Opened in 1903, Alexander School became an important part of the community for decades. Although the school eventually closed, the historic building was preserved and remains a recognizable part of Inglewood.

The Deane House

Built in 1906 for Northwest Mounted Police officer Captain Richard Deane, the Deane House is one of Calgary's oldest surviving homes.

The house was later moved across the Elbow River to its current location. Over the years, it served several purposes, including use as a boarding house, before being restored and becoming one of Calgary's best-known historic landmarks.

The Suitor House

Near the river is another remarkable survivor from Calgary's early years: the Suddart House, a simple log cabin dating to the late 1800s.

Built by local contractor Robert Suddart, it was once considered one of Inglewood's finest homes and remains an excellent example of Calgary's earliest residential architecture.

The National Hotel & Livery Barn

The National Hotel, built in 1908, served workers in what was then a heavily industrial part of Calgary.

Next door, a barn built in 1909 housed horses belonging to hotel guests. Today, the building is one of Calgary's last surviving livery barns — a reminder of a time when horses were an essential part of getting around the city.

Watch Inglewood: Then & Now

See these locations for yourself and compare historic Calgary with the neighbourhood as it looks today.

Watch the Video