Landmark Building
BLYTH HALL
1340 - 9th Avenue SE, Calgary
Built in 1923
','Blyth Hall', 'Source: Calgary Atlantic Avenue Inglewood Historical Walking Tours <br />(© Alberta Culture and Community Spirit)'); "Blyth Hall")
Blyth Hall is a combination of two structures and several additions. Charles Riddock was the first owner of the block. It was named for Riddock’s wife, whose maiden name was Jessie Blyth. The original portion of the structure – the east end with corner entrance – was used as a dance hall by the East Calgary Community Club from 1925 to 1928. Riddock also operated the Calgary Cartage Company from the site from 1924 to 1934. From 1925 to 1926, he moved the buildings of the mining town of Bankhead to Banff and, in 1929, Riddock was responsible for moving the Deane House across the Elbow River.
In 1934, the former dance hall was converted to house Blyth Confectionary which, though there have been many ownership changes, is still in operation. The two storefronts between the Carson Block and Blyth Hall were established in the mid 1930s and have housed, among others, the Blyth Shoe Shop, a hall, and a coffee house. The exterior façade has been remodeled to give the appearance of a uniform singular building.
The Landmark Buildings and Places Database draws on the series of walking and/or driving tour booklets produced by Alberta Culture (now Alberta Culture and Community Spirit). The Heritage Community Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ministry through permission to reprint these materials online. Extracted from Calgary: Atlantic Avenue Inglewood: Historical Walking Tours. Heritage Inventory Program, Alberta Community Development, and the Old Town Calgary Society, 1999, with permission from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. Visit the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for more information.