When Alberta became a province in 1905, one of the biggest debates was where to place the capital—and it wasn’t an easy choice. Calgary, Edmonton, and even smaller towns like Red Deer and Banff all wanted the title. So why did Edmonton win? Was it geography, politics, or pure strategy?

In this episode of The Curiosity Journey, we explore:
✅ What Alberta was like before becoming a province
✅ The fierce political battle between Calgary and Edmonton
✅ How Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier and Edmonton MP Frank Oliver shaped the decision
✅ Whether Calgary ever had a real shot—and if Edmonton was truly the best choice

The rivalry didn’t end there. Even today, Calgary is Alberta’s economic hub, while Edmonton remains the political center. But did the government make the right call?

💬 What do you think? Should Calgary have been the capital? Message me on Instagram [@thecuriosityjourney] or leave a comment!

🔔 Follow The Curiosity Journey on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen for more deep dives into overlooked history!

#StayCurious 🚀

FURTHER READING

AA Den Otter, “Railway Technology, the Canadian Northwest, and the Continental Economy” (1990) (162) Railroad History 5.

AB Kilpatrick, “A Lesson in Boosterism: The Contest for the Alberta Provincial Capital, 1904-1906” (1980) 8:3 Urban History Review 47.

JP Day, “Edmonton Civic Politics, 1891-1913” (1978) 6:3-77 Urban History Review 42.

R Scarlett, A Political History of Alberta (2020).

MUSIC

"The Path of the GoblinKing" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/