Geological Walking Tour — The Building Rocks of Calgary

Geologists, rock-hounds, and fossil collectors will enjoy this general "walk-about" around downtown Calgary. Anyone interested in the rocks that we walk by everyday and see on the outside of buildings or in the lobbies of high-rise office towers will find this a fascinating way to spend an interesting afternoon. This tour has been used effectively by companies looking for a “teambuilding” half day field trip.

The tour examines the rocks, sedimentary features and fossils beautifully displayed on the buildings of Calgary. The rocks range in age from PreCambrian to Tertiary. They come from as far away as Scandinavia and India and some were even quarried locally. Some of the rocks are igneous, some metamorphic and some sedimentary. A variety of features can be easily observed in the polished slabs, i.e. fossils, porosity, cross-bedding, euhedral crystals, “scotch-eggs” texture, etc. Most buildings have their own history and stories.

What People Say:

"I’ve walked by this building for ten years and never noticed these incredible fossils until today!"

"Now I appreciate why they call Calgary 'the Sandstone City'– the old Paskapoo Sandstone buildings along Stephen Avenue Mall should be preserved".

"We learned about burning railroad cars bringing bricks to Calgary, a drive-by shooting that provided a geological clue, a jewelry heist and the Oddfellows Society who promised to bury your dead – not to mention some wonderful geology on the polished walls! Great afternoon!"

"Great guidebook. I’m going to bring my family down and do the tour again with them next weekend!"