| Why is it
called "Hughes House"? It is named for
Dr. Ralph Raymond Hughes who moved to Calgary in 1912
with his young family; the house was built in 1914 and
was their home until about 1940. Dr. Hughes was
a prominent early Calgarian serving as chairman of the
General Hospital and as deacon and board member of his
church for over forty years. He and his family
are interred in Union Cemetery in Calgary.
During World War II,
the house became a rooming house; and from then until
1984 a variety of tenants and owners called it home.
When the current owner, Kelly smith, took possession
in 1984 it had been vacant for over a year and was in
almost derelict condition. The original 'five
year plan' of renovation and restoration has continued
for almost two decades. The exterior retains the
original siding and trim wood, while the interior has
been updated to modern standards retaining the
original woodwork including plate rails, built-in
apothecary, china and linen cabinets. |
