History of the Pancake

The Calgary Stampede’s pancake breakfast traces its roots to the early nineteenth century. The first pancake breakfasts were held in 1923 along Eighth Avenue and at the Old-Timers’ hut, a replica pioneer shack. Early pancake breakfasts were linked to the chuckwagon crews who served them and were associated with Alberta’s western image.

In the 1950s, the Stampede breakfast spread across the city. Churches, corporate entities, charitable organizations, shopping malls, politicians, and the Calgary Stampede itself began to host breakfasts. This document presents a selection of archival sources that, when viewed together, suggest the Stampede breakfast has evolved through the years to become an important part of Stampede festivities and the cultural fabric of the City of Calgary.

Read the full report "Honest-To-Goodness Pancakes: A History of the Evolution and Cultural Significance of the Stampede Breakfast from 1923-2000," below!