The Calgary Fire of 1886 also known as the Great Calgary Fire of 1886, was a conflagration that burned in the Canadian city of Calgary on Sunday November 7, 1886. The fire began at the rear wall of the local flour and feed store, and spread through the community's wooden structures leading to the destruction of 18 buildings. The fire resulted in changes in local construction practices to stop the likelihood and rapid spread of future fires including an increased reliance on sandstone for new structures, which resulted in the Town's early nickname "Sandstone City".
In the early morning of November 7, 1886, flames at the rear wall of the Parish and Son flour and feed store was reported. The Calgary Hook, Ladder and Bucket Corps sent to battle the fire and broke into the Canadian Pacific Railway's freight shed to retrieve the impounded chemical engine and begin battling the fire. During the course of battling the fire, the Corps determined it was necessary to form a firebreak to prevent further damage, and former mayor George Murdoch agreed and participated in the demolishing of his harness shop. An attempt was made to use gunpowder to blow up Murdoch's store, however the Calgary Weekly Herald noted "failed owing to the force of the charge not being sufficiently concentrated". The fire was stopped and the extinguished after the break was created. This would be the second time George Murdoch would lose his business to fire, the first occurring in 1871 during Great Chicago Fire. Ultimately, fourteen buildings were destroyed or razed in attempts to control the blaze, including four stores, three warehouses, three hotels, a tinsmith shop and a saloon. Losses were estimated at $103,200; however no one was killed or injured. Authorities suggested arson may have been involved, but no arrests were made. To reduce the potential for future fires, city officials drafted a bylaw requiring all large downtown buildings were to be built with sandstone, which was readily available nearby in the form of Paskapoo sandstone. Following the fire several quarries were opened around the city by prominent local businessmen including Thomas Edworthy, Wesley Fletcher Orr, J. G. McCallum, and William Oliver. Prominent buildings built with Sandstone following the fire include Knox Presbyterian Church, Imperial Bank Building, Calgary City Hall, and Calgary Courthouse No. 2.
