From Calgarypedia

Pre-Stampede

The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in Calgary in 1883 ushered an era of economic boom for the agricultural community of western Canada. In response, the Calgary and District Agricultural Society was formed a year later, in 1884. In October of 1886, the Agricultural Society organized a fair to celebrate their successes and to draw up new business.

The society purchased 94 acres of land adjacent to the Elbow River in 1888 to expand the fair with a race track, cattle sheds and an exhibition building. This land, named Victoria Park in 1889, remains the home of Stampede Park to this day.

Weadick's Wild Proposal

Nearly 10 years later in 1908, the first Dominion Exhibition, billed as "Western Canada's Greatest Fair," was held, running from June 29 to July 9. A young trick roper named Guy Weadick with the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show performed at the exhibition that year. He saw Calgary as an ideal location for an even larger event.

Weadick approached Canadian Pacific Railway general livestock agent H.C. McMullen about his idea for a week-long rodeo in Calgary, but was met with hesitation and doubt. McMullen didn't believe Calgary had the capacity for such an event; however, McMullen and Weadick kept in contact.

The Big 4

By 1912, Calgary was experiencing an economic boom and McMullen asked Weadick to come back to the city with his proposal. Weadick pitched his week-long rodeo event to the Calgary Industrial Exhibition, but once again was met with a negative response.

However, four local businessmen expressed interest in the proposal, and agreed to back Weadick's Calgary Stampede with $1,000. These men – George Lane, A.E. Cross, Pat Burns and A.J. McLean – became known as the "Big 4" and are considered the founders of the Calgary Stampede as it exists today.

The First Stampede

The very first Calgary Stampede occurred in 1912 and drew a massive crowd of over 100,000. It grossed over $120,000.

The next event didn't happen until 1919, when Weadick returned to Calgary to produce what was called the Victory Stampede, to celebrate the end of World War I.

The Official Merger

The following event was held in 1923. That year marked the merger of the former Calgary Stampede with the Calgary Industrial Exhibition into the Calgary Stampede and Exhibition. This is the name by which it is still officially known today, although many Calgarians refer to it as simply "Stampede."

Present-Day Stampede

Since then, the Stampede has become an annual event, attracting visitors from all over the country and the world. They flock to the city to experience what is billed as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth." The Stampede grounds have expanded considerably, as recently as summer 2008 when new buildings were erected adjacent to the Roundup Centre, including a new casino. The annual event features chuckwagon races, cattle wrangling and many other cowboy-related events and parties.