Calgary's transit network is equipped with numerous buses providing frequent service to all parts of the city. At the heart of this system is the CTrain, which consists of two light rail routes boasting 59 kilometres of track. As the current network continues to expand and congestion becomes a growing concern, municipal leaders are pondering whether Calgary's former streetcar system could return to city streets. 

Public transit in Alberta's largest city can be traced back to the Calgary Municipal Railway, which operated a series of streetcar routes from 1909 to 1950. The 12 available lines received equal praise from politicians and residents, who saw electric streetcars as a symbol of Calgary's national importance. The photo below shows 8 Avenue where it intersects with Centre Street in the downtown core, circa 1913. 

Looking east along 8 Avenue SE circa 1913, image via Internet Archive Book Images

Though streetcars survived the Great Depression, a time when most North American cities began abandoning their tram service, the system was gradually replaced by diesel and trolley buses. Today, the strip of 8 Avenue between 1 Street SE and 4 Street SW is known as Stephen Avenue Walk. It boasts a fully pedestrianized mall lined with retail and restaurants, some of which are housed in the remaining historical structures from the photo above. The one-way, single-lane street is closed to traffic from 6 am to 6 pm, and as a result it is one of the most vibrant areas in Calgary. 

Looking east along 8 Avenue SE today, image retrieved from Google Street View

You can check out Calgary's transportation section on SkyriseCities to stay updated on the city's transit expansion plans. Have an idea for a future Throwback Thursday? Let us know by leaving a comment in the field below!