The History of
Bridgeland
From Germantown to Little Italy — a neighbourhood shaped by waves of immigration.
Established in the 1880s as “Riverside,” Bridgeland is one of Calgary’s most historic pockets. Originally nicknamed “Germantown” for its early Russian-German settlers, the area officially joined Calgary in 1910, eventually adopting the name Bridgeland after the nearby Dominion Bridge Company.
The neighbourhood is a mosaic of immigration history. After its German beginnings, waves of Italian and Ukrainian families arrived, transforming 1st Avenue NE into a vibrant “Little Italy” filled with European grocers and bakeries. While the area has modernized, it still retains its independent, community-focused spirit. Bridgeland was also home to the Calgary General Hospital for nearly 100 years until its high-profile demolition in 1998, and it continues to host the Calgary Zoo, which has occupied St. George’s Island since 1929.
Bridgeland's rich history and walkable inner-city location make it one of Calgary's most sought-after communities.
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