Year of Construction: 1909

Address: 1029 20^th Ave. S.E.

Community: Ramsay

Architectural Style: Edwardian Gable Front

The 112-year-old Spence Residence is a relic from the earliest period of mixed-use development in east Calgary, when Ramsay became a bustling neighbourhood where blue-collar Calgarians both lived and worked.

Known for its can-do attitude, vibrancy and love of growth, Calgary is a city that's quick to embraces the latest thing. For the most part, that mindset has translated into new housing and development, but heritage conservation advocates are seeing growing support for a more balanced approach.

Year of Construction: 1913

Address: 1732 13^th Ave. N.W.

Community: Hounsfield Heights/Briar Hill

Architectural Style: Arts and Crafts

The 1½-storey, Arts and Crafts-style Walter Hargrave Residence is unique for a couple of reason. Constructed in 1913, it is one of the oldest buildings in the northwest community of Hounsfield Heights/Briar Hill, a neighbourhood whose founding dates back to before the First World War.

When the shuttered King Edward School was transformed into cSPACE King Edward, an incubator for artists, non-profits and entrepreneurs, it proved an ambitious example of the economic, environmental and social benefits of preserving, rather than demolishing, Calgary's historic buildings.

Year of Construction: 1912

Address: 802 Prospect Ave. S.W.

Community: Upper Mount Royal

Architectural Style: Georgian Revival

Oddly enough, the most famous owner of this stately brick home in Calgary's upscale Mount Royal neighbourhood never actually lived there. As the house's modern moniker suggests, that owner was R. B. Bennett, Canada's 11^th prime minister and a man who, despite growing up in New Brunswick and spending his final years in England, is indelibly linked with Calgary's history.

Year of Construction: 1905

Address: 35 Point Drive N.W.

Community: Point McKay

Architectural Style: Vernacular

Year of Construction: 1928

Address: 8539 48^th Ave N.W.

Community: Bowness

Architectural Style: American Colonial Revival

On an afternoon stroll, residents of the neighbouring communities of Cliff Bungalow and Mission can feel like they've gone back in time. They might encounter structures built in the Queen Anne, Spanish Colonial, Classical and Georgian Revival styles, all from the early 1900s, within only a few blocks.

However, combing through the city's historic neighbourhoods is no longer an activity reserved for area residents, as Heritage Calgary is helping people learn about Calgary's past through self-directed walking tours.

Year of Construction: 1907

Address: 803 15^th Ave S.W.

Community: Beltline

Architectural Style: Tudor Revival

As the name suggests, this historic residence holds significant heritage value thanks to its status as the home of Nellie McClung and her husband from 1923-32.

Owners of historic homes across Calgary could soon be eligible for additional grant money and a significant tax break if city council approves a new plan to boost financial incentives for heritage conservation.