Artist
Keith Holmes

Location
Agriculture Building, northwest corner facing the Scotiabank Saddledome

Installed
2000

Type
Mural

Donors
Alberta Cattle Breeders Association, Calgary Stampede

About this Installation

This mural was created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1901 bull sale. Sixty-four head of purebred cattle were sold through the first bull sale held by the Territorial Purebred Cattle Breeders Association on April 12, 1901. Entries from the Shorthorn breeders outnumbered the combined entries from Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, Galloway and Red Poll breeders. S.A. Paisley of Lacombe was the auctioneer for the sale held at Victoria Park’s Frontier Stables. The average price was $85.17.

Did You Know?

  • The roots of the Calgary Bull Sale go back to Canada’s big ranching era in the late 1800s

  • Calgary area ranchers had the distinction of being pacesetters among western Canadian ranchers, as local ranchers were able to calve their cows earlier, buy bulls earlier, and turn their cattle out to pasture earlier due to the milder climates.

  • The entry fee in 1901 was $1/bull. In 2012, the entry fee was $150/ bull

  • In 1901, 64 head were entered. In 2012, there were 235 entries

  • Sale average in 1901 was $90. In 2012, the sale average was $5875.21