Welcome to Lougheed House! Built in 1891 by Senator James Lougheed and his wife Isabella Hardisty Lougheed, it was the grandest home in Calgary for many years. The home sits on a street once known as Millionaire’s Row, in what is today called the Beltline District. The Lougheeds named their splendid mansion Beaulieu, which is French for “beautiful place” and you will see other references to that name in various spots throughout the home. Over its long history, Lougheed House has been a family residence, a training centre for young women, a women’s military barracks and a blood donor clinic. The building then sat empty until the year 2000, when restoration began and life began to spring back into its walls. The home is a launching pad to a rich history that spans the opening of the West, late Victorian style and values, and the thriving business and social community of early Calgary.
Much of the story of Lougheed House took place well after the family moved out. Beginning in 1938, it became a Home Service Training Centre. Twenty to 40 girls from around southern Alberta stayed here and took classes in homecraft, childcare, budget preparation, cooking, needlework and first aid. When World War II broke out, the house closed for two years. It reopened as a training base for the Canadian Women’s Army Corps. The residence became a barracks for the women, and there were even huts built in the back yard to provide additional space. Following the war, the YWCA used the home as a residence for ex-servicewomen as they found their way back into society.
This is the Library (Images 1 & 2). The Lougheeds’ love of books was well known. In fact, it was said that by the time the Calgary Public Library opened in 1912, the family already had one of the finest private libraries in the West. As part of the 1907 expansion, the Lougheed’s Library included a fireplace and built-in bookcases with sliding glass doors. In addition to his impressive law library, Sir James (Image 3) kept books of every description, and the family was known to give out books by Shakespeare as wedding gifts. Then, in 1938, the library practically vanished. Following the death of Lady Lougheed (Image 4), the entire collection of several hundred books was sold at auction for a mere 22 dollars.
This is the Entrance Foyer and Main Hall (Images 1 - 3) . Visiting dignitaries arriving at Lougheed House would have shared an immediate feeling of style and grandeur. Passing through the heavy doors into the foyer – also known as a portico – they were enclosed in dark mahogany wood, with light streaming in from the many stained glass windows (Image 4). In fact, all the stained glass in the home was supplied by McCausland and Company of Toronto. It is still in business today – the oldest surviving stained glass studio in North America. At your feet, you will also notice the intricate pattern of mosaic tiles in the portico, leading to the gleaming maple floors of the main hall.
This is the Drawing Room (Images 1 - 4). It was here, in 1892, that James and Isabella Lougheed held a grand housewarming ball for 130 guests. It was also here that Isabella would entertain visitors with tea on the first Thursday of every month. Sadly, it wasn’t all good times. The Drawing Room also served as a funeral parlor, which included a service for the Lougheeds’ youngest child, Marjorie, who died in 1917 at age 12. The funeral for the senator himself was held here in 1925 – followed by his loving wife Isabella in 1936. The final blow came in 1938, when this room hosted the auction of all the Lougheed family possessions. Still, the Drawing Room is notable for its splendor – from its ornate plaster ceiling (Image 5) to the majestic fireplace. There are some wonderful finishing touches in this room – like the fireplace surround painted to look like marble, and the shimmering mica chips in the framed wall panels. Everything you see was the height of Victorian fashion décor.
This is the Mission Room (Images 1 - 3). When the Lougheed House was built in 1891, this space was an open porch overlooking the gardens. Sixteen years later, it was enclosed and converted into a room for recreation and relaxation. Its features – which include unique stained glass and high wooden paneling – are in the Mission style, which give the room its name. If you look at the entrance to this room from the Drawing Room, you realize how thick the original walls of the house are. For many years, this was one of the most enjoyable rooms in the home, with cozy overstuffed chairs, oriental carpets, dark oak paneling and intense colours. The Steinway grand piano (Image 4) you see in the room, although not the original, gives you an idea of the sort of entertainment found here. Long after Lougheed House had served as a family home, this room was enlarged by the Red Cross in 1967, to be used as a Blood Donor Clinic. During restoration, though, it was returned to its original 1907 size – complete with reproduction light fixtures and luxuriously thick curtains.
This is the Dining Room (Images 1 - 5). Fitted with a mixture of both formal and club-room furnishings, it is notable for its Tudor style paneling and elegant built-in leaded glass cabinets. But perhaps the most striking feature of the room is the overhead dome (Image 6). The panels of the dome were originally stained glass, which would have radiated colour into the room. In the 1950s, the dome was thought to be leaking, so it was covered up and remained hidden for nearly 50 years. Only during restoration was it discovered – to be re-built and bring light back into the Dining Room. Used mostly for grand occasions and fancy teas, the Dining Room played host to royalty on several occasions, with the Prince of Wales, Prince George and Duke of Connaught all enjoying the lavish setting. Since hunting was a favorite pastime in those days, it would have been common to see mounted animal trophies like the ones you see adorning the walls of the Dining Room. No doubt, guests of that time would have been impressed. A few Lougheed possessions are found here. The family’s chinaware and silver service (Image 7) are in the display cabinets, and the sideboard – with its carved mirror – are all original to this room. It should be noted that the bar is a modern addition and it was built to match the style of this room (Image 2).
This is Senator Lougheed’s Study (Images 1 - 5). When not working at his Calgary law office, Sir James would have used it as a private retreat, and for small meetings. Although most of the original furnishings – like an ornate bookshelf – fell victim to auction sales or inheritances, there are a few important items still to be found. The large mahogany chair belonged to Senator Lougheed, and features his heraldic motif carved in the wooden back (Image 4). The picture is of Prime Minister Robert Borden’s conservative government of 1914, and you can find Senator Lougheed in it. There is also the senator’s framed knighthood regalia – awarded to him by King George in 1916 for his services to Canada in World War One. From then on, he would always be Sir James Lougheed. The room started out as a kitchen, and became a study during the 1907 renovation. It was also used as an entrance, since the western wall once opened onto a porch that would have led to the carriage house and stable.
This is the Main Staircase (Image 1&2). Like the Drawing Room and Main Hall, it is crafted in High Victorian style. The staircase is actually quite steep and narrow in comparison to others in similar homes, and leads up to the family bedrooms. Perhaps the most notable feature on the staircase are the stained glass windows. Like others found throughout the house, this one has been individually hand-painted in the center. Each window features a different bird or animal (Image 3). As well as being decorative and offering splashes of brilliant colour, stained glass windows were also excellent for adding a dash of privacy without the need for curtains.
This is the Second Floor Landing (Image 1). Looking out the window across 13th Avenue, you see the Ranchmen’s Club. Built in 1914, it is Calgary’s oldest and most prestigious private club. The street itself was originally named Kennedy. There were many elegant homes belonging to prominent Calgarians like Senator Patrick Burns and William Roper Hull. Of course, when Lougheed House was built, there were few buildings taller than the Ranchmen’s Club between where you are standing and downtown Calgary. From this landing, Lady Lougheed would spot the senator setting out from his downtown office in horse and buggy bound for home. That would have been the signal to tell the cook that dinner could be started. Eventually, as the family grew, the downtown landscape took on a distinctly “Lougheed feel.” From this viewpoint, you would have been able to see a pair of buildings named for sons Clarence and Norman, which can still be found on Stephen avenue.
This is the Senator’s Bedroom (Images 1 & 2). Yes, it is noticeably smaller than Lady Lougheed’s own bedroom, but keep in mind the room also includes his writing room. In 1912, Duke of Connaught slept in this room, which was described in the Calgary News Telegram as “furnished with carved mahogany, with rich Oriental rugs.” The paper also noted its book-lined den, leather furniture, inviting fireplace and huge bowl of crimson roses. The intense blue of the room would have been the first colour seen on its walls. Paint was often applied to walls during the long time it took for the plaster to dry, before being covered by the much more fashionable wallpaper. In the framed exhibit window behind the door, you can see some of the many wallpaper styles that appeared on these walls over the years. It would have been a cozy bedroom, with its stained oak fireplace and thick rugs. The carpet below you, although not original to the room, is over 100 years old!
This is the Senator’s Writing Room (Image 1). You could also call it a den, and it is part of the 1907 expansion. Here, Sir James would sit quietly reading a book, or writing telegrams and letters to friends and family. Today, the room houses an exhibit featuring the most well-known descendant of James and Isabella. Peter Lougheed, son of Edgar and grandson to the original owners, became the tenth premier of Alberta in 1971 and re-shaped the province during his 14 years as head of the government. It could well be said that the legacy of the Lougheeds in public service began in this home, and there may have been no Premier Lougheed if it weren’t for Senator Lougheed.
This is the Sitting Room (Images 1 & 2). As in most large houses of the time, husband and wife had separate bedrooms. This room was located between the bedrooms of Sir James and Lady Lougheed. When the Duke and Duchess of Connaught visited in 1912 and stayed up here, both rooms were used as the Duchess’ boudoir. Across form the entrance into the writing room you can see Senator Lougheed’s personal bathroom complete with the original tub (Image 3). In one of the framed exhibit windows, you can see the original pipes and plumbing, as the typical lath and plaster construction used for interior walls. Wondering why the floor is sloping? That’s caused by the weight of the 1907 addition, settling into the earth. It was repaired in 2003.
This is Lady Lougheed’s Bedroom (Images 1 & 2). It is one of two rooms making up her suite – which includes the bedroom, and personal bathroom. They were clearly good enough for royalty. In 1912, Her Royal Highness Louise Margaret, Duchess of Connaught, stayed in these rooms. The Calgary News-Telegram wrote that “festoons of roses on silvery paper and graceful mauve silk draperies make this suite one of the prettiest in the house.” Although the pretty wallpapers and draperies were removed over time, much of the rooms remain as it was when the duchess stayed here. Much of the furniture is original and reveals the fine craftsmanship of the day. The shutters – which were once lost and have since been returned – show how they would have been used to control light and provide privacy.
This is Lady Lougheed’s Bathroom (Image 1). Sadly, over the years the original fixtures have been removed from the room, which would have featured a cast iron tub, corner sink and of course, a toilet. The lady of the house was entitled to her privacy, which is why it was connected to her equally private bedroom. Still, you get a sense of the intimacy of this space – with its rich wood paneling similar to Sir James’ bathroom and the ceiling similar to that in his study. The exhibit in this room tells the story of the owners and occupants of the house following the death of Lady Lougheed in 1936, and the departure of the remaining family in 1938.
This is the Second Floor Hall (Images 1 & 2). Now that you are beyond the main floor, grand rooms have given way to smaller, simpler and more private spaces. As well, the rich mahogany doors and trim downstairs have become solid and practical oak. Even the plaster ceiling, which is so ornate below, is kept simple up here. Although few visitors would have ever come up to this hall, it still had to be kept stylish – this was important as the Duke and Duchess of Connaught once occupied the bedrooms of Sir James and Lady Lougheed. At the end of the hallway, you see a series of electrical wires (Image 3). The framed exhibit window reveals the 1891 knob and tube wiring. These would have connected to bell pushes in the bedrooms that rang the servants’ bell board in the basement. Just like calling for room service today! Across from the electrical wiring, there is one of two sets of very steep stairs located on this floor. The stairs go down to the kitchen and up to the third floor where the children’s bedrooms were, and which now houses the offices of the Lougheed House Conservation Society. Notice also the transom windows above the doors. These open and close to improve airflow.
This is one of the Children’s Bedroom (Images 1 & 2). Although it is thought of as Clarence’s bedroom, it’s unsure which of the family’s six children stayed in it. When the family moved into the house in 1892, the first resident was probably two-year-old Norman. By 1925, it was apparently the room belonging to Douglas, who was 24 and still living at home. Finally, it is likely that Clarence took it over. As an adult, he returned from the Great War to live at home until he was married.
This is the Restoration Room (Image 1). From the mossy green paint to the faded wallpaper, you’d hardly guess it was once a room fit for a princess. Yet that’s exactly what it was in 1912, when the visiting Duke and Duchess of Connaught brought their daughter, Princess Patricia, with them to Calgary. A small bathroom was added behind the small door to the right of the fireplace, especially for the royal visit. Originally, though, the bedroom likely belonged to Clarence, who was the eldest Lougheed child when the family moved in. In later years, it became Dorothy’s bedroom – but by 1925 it was referred to simply as the Spare Room. During World War II, when the house was a barracks for the Canadian Women’s Army Corps, the room received its thick coat of olive green paint (Image 2), which was thought to have a calming effect. In fact, much of the woodwork and walls in the home were treated to the rather unattractive green. It’s hard to believe anyone would want to cover over the fine mahogany and oak baseboards, doors, fireplaces and trim of Lougheed House – but keep in mind tastes were different in the 1940s. The paint has been kept in this room to maintain the military history of the house prior to its restoration – hence, the Restoration Room.
These are the Gardens (Images 1 - 4). Lougheed House rests on the same 2.8-acre parcel as always – amazing when you consider the many changes to the Beltline neighbourhood over the past 100 years. The southwest corner of the property would have housed the carriage house and stable, with the home on the northwest. Everything eastward was all beautiful gardens and pathways. Since the land was not level and included a marshy depression, the solution was a terraced garden, framed with balustrades and retaining walls and which are mirrored on the roof. The formal gardens featured a sculptural fountain, surrounded by islands of flowers and edged by perennials next to the retaining walls. As early members of the Calgary Horticultural Society, the Lougheed's won prizes at shows and competitions for their gardens. Interestingly, the southern portion of the gardens was left as prairie grassland – presumably to pasture their animals. Although seed generations have changed over the years, today’s gardens only feature turn-of-the-century species. That includes petunias, lilacs, marigolds, roses, snapdragons, peonies and more.
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Step inside Lougheed House from the comfort of your home! Been to Lougheed House but want to know more? This tour offers new information about the house as well as high-resolution images that make it seem as if you are in the house.
