Many people take pride in their homes.

Others honour their homes’ history.

Still others dedicate their lives to learning and sharing the history of many people’s homes.

Video: The Calgary Journal’s Ava Free reports on one man’s passion for Inglewood’s history

Inglewood historian Manfred Baum is a Calgarian who does just that.

Born in Germany, Baum came to Alberta in 1978. After being laid off from his job in 1992, Baum found himself in need of work.

Shortly after, Baum answered an ad in the paper seeking someone to organize historic walks in Calgary’s Inglewood neighbourhood with the Old Town Calgary Society.

Manfred Baum poses in front of Calgary’s oldest building, the Hunt House, on Oct. 24. Baum has been working to preserve Inglewood’s history for over 30 years. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB

The Old Town Calgary Society aimed to research and promote the history of Inglewood.

For a long time, the neighbourhood was perceived as “the wrong side of the tracks,” said Baum in an interview with the Calgary Journal.

Within six months, Baum became president of the Society.

“I love history, so I just began adding to their research and I’ve been doing it ever since – over 30 years.”

Manfred baum

Calgary Journal reporter Ava Free met with Baum and walked with him down 8 Avenue S.E., in the heart of Inglewood, to learn more about the history of some of Calgary’s oldest homes.

Manfred Baum and Ava Free walk down 12 Street S.E. as they begin their tour around the neighbourhood. Baum’s work as the neighbourhood historian has made him a familiar face throughout Inglewood. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB
Manfred Baum gestures towards the Rouge restaurant on the corner of 12th Street and 8 Ave. S.E. in Inglewood. The restaurant was formerly the A.E. Cross House. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB
The Alfred Ernest Cross House photographed in 1956. A.E. Cross founded Calgary Brewery and Malting Co. in 1892. PHOTO SUPPLIED: CALGARY PUBLIC LIBRARY, ALISON JACKSON COLLECTION
Built in 1891, the Rouge restaurant took over the Cross house in 2003. The restaurant prides itself on preserving the home’s history by restoring it’s Victorian character. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB

During his tour, Baum walked with a Walmart bag full of old archival photos he’s collected over the years. As he approached 1313 8 Ave S.E., he stopped to take out a black-and-white, laminated image of the house he had saved.

Despite its exterior, the house has a unique story.

Standing outside of 1313 8 Ave. S.E., Calgary, Manfred Baum holds a laminated black and white image of the same house in the 1920s. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB

Baum says the duplex, once a house, was split down the centre and pulled apart to add a new centre section.

A black-and-white image shows a home in Inglewood split in half to become a duplex. PHOTO SUPPLIED: GRANT STUDIO, GLENBOW LIBRARY AND
ARCHIVES COLLECTION
A house sits at 1313-8 Ave. S.E. in Inglewood, next to Charles Riddock barn. The house became a duplex after a middle section was added. PHOTO SUPPLIED: OLIVER, W. J, GLENBOW LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES COLLECTION
Local historian Manfred Baum and journalist Ava Free stand in front of a duplex on 8 Avenue. S.E. was built approximately in 1921. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB

Jackie Puff owns the house next door.

Puff moved to Inglewood in 2012, drawn by its history and charm. She says when you buy a home in Inglewood, you’re getting so much more than just a house.

“You buy the stories that go along with it,” she said.

Jackie Puff poses for a photo on her front porch on Nov.6. Puff bought her home in Inglewood in 2012 and has worked to maintain and restore its rich history. PHOTO: BRENNEN FRENCH

After getting involved with the Inglewood Community Association, Puff met Baum. The two of them volunteered on a heritage subcommittee. With a shared interest in preserving the neighbourhood’s history, Puff found herself consulting Baum to learn more about her home.

By researching and connecting with other community members, Puff discovered that the house was built in 1921.

“There are people who have lived [in Inglewood] their entire lives. There are others who are third-generation living here. You can’t interact with somebody in Inglewood without running into someone who has a rich history with the area. [Without] hearing about the stories and the characters,” says Puff.

Jackie Puff says her house was built in 1921 after the previous home burned down, and is located at 1317-8 Ave. S.E., Puff’s home is one of many along the block with a unique history. PHOTO: BRENNEN FRENCH

Then and now

Built in 1907, photographed in 1965 the Suitor house was owned by Robert Suitor. Suitor went on to establish a construction and real estate business in Calgary. PHOTO SUPPLIED:
CALGARY PUBLIC LIBRARY, ALISON JACKSON COLLECTION
The historic Suitor House in Inglewood is now a health clinic. The house was built in 1908 and is recognized as a Community Heritage Resource. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB
Built in 1885, the Major John Stewart House is architecturally cottage-gothic. Photographed in 1971, the house was originally owned by the founder of the Stewart Ranch near Pincher Creek. PHOTO SUPPLIED: CALGARY PUBLIC LIBRARY, ALISON JACKSON COLLECTION
The Major John Stewart House is located on 26 New St S.E. Calgary. The residence became a
provincial historic resource in 1977. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB
Manfred Baum, a local historian in the neighbourhood of Inglewood, leads Calgary Journal reporter, Ava Free, down 8 Avenue S.E. as he talks to her about the different historic homes in the area on Oct. 24. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB
The Broatch house was originally owned by Andrew Broatch. Broatch was involved in municipal politics and served on city council for three years. PHOTO SUPPLIED: MANFRED BAUM
VIA ALBERTA HERITAGE SURVEY PROGRAM
The Broatch house, now painted various shades of blue sits on the corner of 8 Avenue and
11 Street S.W. Calgary. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB
A current renter of the Broatch house stands on her front lawn talking with local Inglewood historian, Manfred Baum, about the history of the residence. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB
The Van Wart house was built around 1885 by John Gierow Van Wart. Van Wart died in 1920,
and the house was purchased by Thomas Burns. PHOTO SUPPLIED:
CALGARY PUBLIC LIBRARY, ALISON JACKSON COLLECTION
Over the years, the Van Wart house has undergone several changes including the addition of the front sun room. The historic home is on 8 Avenue S.E. in Inglewood, Calgary. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB
Manfred Baum is known as a local historian in Inglewood, Calgary. Despite living in a different neighbourhood, Baum has become a familiar face for residents looking to learn more about the history of their homes. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB
The James Walker House was built in 1910 by Col. James Walker in an “area then known as Brewery Flats.” This 1958 photo showcases the homes’ crisp pillars and brick structure. PHOTO SUPPLIED: CALGARY PUBLIC LIBRARY, ALISON JACKSON COLLECTION
The Col. James Walker House is located on the property of the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. The house became a provincial historic resource in 1977. It’s qualities have been maintained over the years, allowing it to look almost identical to its original state. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB
Originally owned by land surveyor and civil engineer William Pearce, the estate stood along
17th Avenue S.E. before it was demolished in 1957. PHOTO SUPPLIED:
CALGARY PUBLIC LIBRARY, ALISON JACKSON COLLECTION
Where William Pearces’ estate once stood, now lies a large housing complex. The building backs onto Pearce Estate Park, land that Pearce donated to the city in 1929. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB
Photographed in 1910 with a Métis Cabin (lefT), the Hunt House (far right) is Calgary’s oldest known building, built in 1876. The structure acts as a crucial artifact in Calgary’s history. PHOTO SUPPLIED: MANFRED BAUM VIA THE GLENBOW LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES COLLECTION
As of 2025, the Hunt House is located on the Deane House property on the west side of Inglewood.
Now fully restored, the interior is outfitted with a chair and log stove to mimic how it was
used historically. PHOTO: XANDER HOLCOMB

Report an Error or Typo

Ava Free is passionate about documentary-style, photo and investigative journalism as well as creative writing. In her fourth year of journalism and digital media, Free enjoys challenging herself with...

Brennen French is a very adaptable freelance journalist who has experience in entrepreneurship through his independent freelance media company, Straight Shootin’ Media, which is heavily involved in writing,...

Xander Holcomb is a freelance photographer, running his own business shooting throughout central and southern Alberta. He’s working through his fourth year of journalism and has been published in both...