Calgary Historical Sites
A.E. Cross House
A.E. Cross arrived in the Calgary area in 1884 and made his name in several ways. He started the A7 Ranch near Nanton, founded the Calgary Brewing and Malting Company in 1892, and was one of the "Big Four," along with Pat Burns, George Lane and Archie McLean, behind the first Calgary Stampede in 1912. He also sat in Alberta's first Legislative Assembly as one of Calgary's two members.
- Built
- 1891
- Community
- Inglewood
- Address
- 1240 8 Ave SE
- Today
- Rouge restaurant
The House
The two-storey frame house at 1240 8 Avenue SE dates from 1891, and Cross acquired it in 1899. It sits on seven lots by the Bow River, with a big lawn and garden to the west. Look up for the "widow's walk" railing on the roof, and notice the gingerbread trim, the bay windows and the sandstone foundation. The province made it a Provincial Historic Resource in 1977.
Rouge
The house was donated to the City in 1973, and today it's Rouge restaurant, which uses produce from the garden. If you're not dining, you can still see the house and grounds from 8 Avenue SE.
A Walk in Inglewood
Inglewood was once known as East Calgary, and 9 Avenue SE, originally Atlantic Avenue, was its main street. From here I'd walk over to the 9 Avenue shops, then on to the Deane House and The Confluence.
Nearby
The house is in Inglewood, with Ramsay just south and Bridgeland/Riverside across the Bow. Deerfoot Trail and Blackfoot Trail are the main routes in by car.
A.E. Cross House in pictures
Photographed on the ground by Kelly Baker.
Communities around A.E. Cross House
The residential communities closest to it.