"F" Troop of the Northwest Mounted Police made it's way across
the prairie and halted on the top of the cut back of the north side of
the Bow River just east of the present day Centre Street. Inspector
E.A. Brisbois surveyed what was to become the future city of Calgary.
The new post was conveniently situated between Fort Edmonton and Fort
Macleod .As he and his men looked it over they all decided that it was a
perfect location. Some of the men commented at the time that it was a
very beautiful spot and that once seen it would never be forgotten.
As the 65 man strong troop set up the Fort they were acting on
the direct order of Colonel James F. Macleod. The Fort was being built
because of the rumours that Gabriel Dumont, a half Breed buffalo hunter
and later a leader in the Reil Rebellion, was planning on setting up
an independent state.. .Assistant Commissioner Macleod met with major
General Selby Smyth where he found the rumours to be groundless. However
he decided that before leaving The Red Deer River he should dispatch "F"
Troop to the confluence of the Bow and The Swift( Elbow) rivers.
"F" troop established the fort as directed. In the beginning they
lived in dugouts and tents till the first 6 building were up. Just as
soon as the buildings were up the I.G. Baker company of Montana
(supplier to the North West mounted Police) arrived and supplied
building materials.
The company quickly set up the buildings using dry pine logs.
These logs came from six miles up river and were floated down to the
site. In 1882 the little outpost was upgraded to a District headquarters
and "F" troop was replaced with"E" troop.
The Fort at the time was described as being neat and tidy. It
consisted of a barracks block with a kitchen and dining hall; a
guardroom( with room for 12 prisoners) a blacksmith shop and a hospital
that boasted hair mattresses. If you should like to see the Fort as it
was then we are in the process of rebuilding it, We are using the same
material and the same methods as they used. It is taking us a great deal
longer. For a quick view see Fort Calgary.
As the fort grew new buildings were added an officers quarters
and orderly room. Also a Sgt. majors quarters and a barracks block.
There was even a bathroom, sergeants mess and a new blacksmiths and
carpenters shop.