Become a stampede insider
Sign up to receive the latest Stampede news, contests, events and more.
CHAPTER ONE
The Early Years
1886-1912
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Taking place in September, the first Stampede had mixed success. It rained for several days and the stands were not covered. Due to program management difficulties the daily schedule was unreliable and many events started later than promised. There was no Infield and no time limit, so riders often rode out of sight from spectators and sometimes took as much as ten minutes to ride broncs to a standstill. However, the event still had many highlights, and the parade in particular was well received.
Drawing 80,000 people – double Calgary’s population at the time – the parade brought together Calgarians old and new to collectively celebrate the mythical Old West. The Duke of Connaught (who was the Governor General of Canada at the time), his wife the Duchess of Connaught (Princess Louise Margaret), as well as their daughter Princess Patricia attended the parade and rodeo events and were a huge draw. The rodeo also brought exciting action. Families from Treaty 7 Nations camped on Victoria Park, forming the original Elbow River Camp which remains an essential part of the Stampede to this day.
The names of Messrs, P. Burns, George Lane, A. E. Cross, and A.J. Mclean will long be remembered in connection with this affair. The good that has been done to Calgary will remain to their credit as their only reward for their remarkable and generous actionThe Calgary Herald, 1912
Flores LaDue shows off her fancy roping skills.
First Nations man in Elbow River Camp, ca. 1920s.
The Duke and Duchess of Connaught attended the first Stampede; here they are arriving at the Grandstand.
Some 1,800 First Nation individuals led the first Stampede Parade in 1912.
Women competed in many rodeo events at the first Stampede; Lucille Mulhall, pictured here, won the title of Champion Lady Bucking Horse Rider of the World.
Stampede founder Guy Weadick and champion trick rider Flores LaDue pictured with their dog at the first Stampede. The husband and wife pair met while touring as performers for the Miller Brothers 101 Wild West Show.
A second Stampede was not held in 1913 in Calgary. Weadick took his show on the road to Winnipeg. But economic downturn hit Western Canada and dimmed the prospects for holding another one in 1914. Then, in August 1914, the First World War broke out.
