George Murdoch

Who was George Murdoch?

George Murdoch was the first mayor of Calgary, Alberta. He was born in Paisley, Scotland, and died in Calgary, Alberta.

Murdoch's family immigrated to Canada in 1854 and settled in Saint John, New Brunswick. He spent much of his earlier years in New Brunswick. Here he married his wife Margaret, and together they had their first two children in the province. In total, they had at least three sons and two daughters.

On May 13, 1883, Murdoch moved to Calgary. This was just months before the Canadian Pacific Railway had reached the community in August. In Calgary, he started a successful harness shop. As Calgary was at its early stages, his main clientele were the North-West Mounted Police based in Fort Calgary and Blackfoot Indians who had a reserve nearby. He was on good terms with the Blackfoot, and had learned to speak their language.

In the community, Murdoch was involved with the Masonic Lodge and the Orange Order in Canada, literary and history societies, volunteer fire brigade, was one of the founders of Calgary's Presbyterian Church and the first President of the Calgary St. Andrew's Society.