Historic Buildings on 17th Ave SW
Welcome to 17th Ave SW, a neighbourhood filled with history and one-of-a-kind historic buildings. Take a trip down the Ave and see for yourself.


The Devenish, built in 1911, originally was an apartment building. Now it is home to cafes, bakeries and local shops.
908 17 Ave SW
Devenish apartment block, Calgary, Alberta.”, [ca. 1912], (CU1122903) by Unknown. Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.


Calgary’s first drugstore chains, McCutcheon and McGill, began in 1906 by David McCutcheon and his college friend William McGill. McCutcheon later started a big real estate agency. McGill Drugs served the community from 1915 to 1963 and was praised in 1920 for creative advertising that brought people together.
801 17th Ave SW
McCutcheon and McGill drugstore, Calgary, Alberta.”, [ca. 1912], (CU1115348) by Unknown. Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary. Mount Royal Block at 801-17th Avenue SW.


Walter James Brigden was a grocer and butcher from London. His shop has been a local grocery store since it first opened in 1912. In 1978, Jim Kokos started the Kalamata Grocery store, named after a place in Greece known for its olives. Now, his two sons run the store. It’s one of the oldest grocery stores in Calgary.
1421 – 11th Street SW
W. J. Brigden family, outside store, Calgary, Alberta.”, [ca. 1908-1910], (CU1103971) by Unknown. Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.


Tomkins Park was established in 1915 on land donated by Henry & Elinor Tomkins. Today, it sits in the middle of 17th Ave SW and has become a gathering spot to enjoy a coffee, meal or live entertainment.
17 Ave & 8 Street SW
Tomkins gardens, Calgary, Alberta.”, [ca. 1925], (CU183739) by Oliver, W. J.. Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.