Forest Lawn Foodways: Mapping Calgary’s Immigration Waves

Situated in Calgary’s north-east quadrant, the community of Forest Lawn was built by working-class newcomers from its first development in the early 1900s to the present day. Its first families were from Eastern Canada and Eastern Europe, looking for the “last best west.” After the First World War, Forest Lawn was a vibrant community with its own general stores, groceries, and school. Residents commuted to Calgary, working in rail, cattle ranching, and lumber. Forest Lawn gained village status in 1931, became a town in 1952, and was finally annexed by the nearby City of Calgary in 1961. As a part of Calgary, Forest Lawn boasted affordable real estate due to the surrounding industrial sites.

Migration patterns changed after Canadian immigration policy removed race as an immigration criteria in 1967 and Forest Lawn became more diverse. Because of its affordability, Forest Lawn became the first home for many newcomers. These newcomers brought with them recipes and a will to preserve their culture through foodways.