We are still waiting to hear from G-C Carra regarding the source of his speculation that Inglewood’s population was once double what it is today (3,286), which would make it around 6,500. As this estimate of our population is often used as justification for increased density in Inglewood, we went looking for facts and figures. Can anyone else substantiate this estimate?

After reviewing the figures below, obtained from the City, it looks like Inglewood’s population hasn’t changed much since the early 70s. It’s rather doubtful than any figures from the 30s, 40s, 50s, or early 60s are going to show any numbers higher than that, since Calgary’s general population was so much lower (81,636 in 1931).

The first civic census was done in 1931. Then there was one in 1937, a couple in the 40s and a couple more in the early 50’s. Only in 1958 did the civic census become an annual event, done every April.

City Archives (now called Corporate Records) provided the following compilation of civic censuses from 1968 to 1983. Following are the population numbers for Inglewood for the 15 year period 1968-1983, with the highest being in 1969:

In 1968 Calgary’s population was 354,856. In 1983 it was 620,692. In this same period, Inglewood’s population declines by a thousand, roughly 30%. These earlier censuses don’t have much more information but they do give an interesting picture of what people lived in. “Dwellings” increase from 1278 to 1343 in Inglewood in this fifteen year span. Dwellings are more than 50% single family homes, with a comingling of duplexes, row houses, apartments, and conversions; nary a mention of condominiums or townhouses.
- Joe Donnelly and Jackie Hamilton

I recently had the honour of opening and reading the newsletter of another Community Association in Calgary. How thrilled I was to read the President’s report. it was full of optimism, humour, candor, and above all, was worth reading.
As a resident of Inglewood for 23 years, I used to take joy in opening OUR newsletter, to bring me up to date with the many functions within our neighbourhood.

For many months I have been appalled at your report, Mr. Carra. This month your ramble went from being boring to being ridiculous. I personally DO NOT GIVE A RATS *** what you do in your spare time, what you are supposedly learning at school, or being lectured about how your PHD work is going!

You are the President of the oldest community in the City of Calgary. Other communities read our newsletter. After showing “our” newsletter to fellow workers, and, by the time they stopped laughing at your ramble, asked me “who does he think he is?” At this point, I was speechless, as I do not, for the life of me, know the answer.

You have been the President for a number of years, and for a number of years, have basically done NOTHING for our Community, you have simply used our Community as a stepping stone to further YOUR education.

I have not only lost respect for you, being the infinitesimal amount you had earned, but also the respect for our Community Association. Yes, I have sat on the Board of Directors for the Community Association, Inglewood Housing, and The Alexander Society.

Now, I live quietly on my little street, in my great little neighbourhood, hoping, against all odds, that the laughter, ridicule and jest thrown at me will soon, very soon, end. Maybe then, the residents will stand strong, once again, and begin to rebuild our Community to the one that was once respected.
- Joan MacGougan

I live in the community of Inglewood and frequent the shops along 9th Avenue in support of our independent business entrepreneurs. In visiting Arts on Atlantic to participate in one of the art exhibitions I brought my 12 year old son. On sharing his interest in art the curator Stephen Murphy engaged my son and learned that he painted. Stephen offered to exhibit some of my son’s work at Arts On Atlantic where it is hanging today under a banner that reads “Tomorrows Artist Today”.
Stephen generosity boosted my son’s confidence as an artist, but more importantly as a person.

Cole’s art will be displayed until February 28th, I encourage you to recognize Stephen Murphy for his wonderful contribution and my son for his courage to share his work... it’s still tough being 12!
Thanks,
- Dianne Verschuere