Last Photos of the Enoch Sales House

It was only matter of time. Everyone knew it. When is something bad going to happen at the old Enoch Sales House? Will they find a corpse inside? Will it get torched? Given the level of neglect shown it by its owners, Calgary Municipal Land Corp a city department, something nasty happening seemed an inevitability. It was neither well watched nor protected. For those of you who put money in the “up in flames” bet in the deadpool, well, you won. Congrats. Yup, mere weeks ago it burned down one frigid cold February morn. It’s said some homeless fellows broke in and started a fire inside to keep warm and the rest, as they say, is history.

Was it intentional arson? Doubtful. But at -25c desperation creeps in. Does it speak of a bigger problem? Hell yeah. Food for thought: there’s a homeless shelter within blocks of the Sales Place and others in the immediate downtown core just there over the tracks and when temperature drops no one is turned away. Still some of these disadvantaged souls choose to forgo the shelter route and tough it out by themselves, out there in the wild, as I guess was the case here. Homelessness is a complex issue.

And with the ruins still smouldering, a chorus of cheers. They came from developers who’ve been eyeing up the land for eons and they came from those who live in the area who’ve grown tired of squatters taking up residence inside – in spite of it being within view of a cop-shop – like right over there. And rather vocal, surprisingly, it came from those to which history is at best looked with indifference or contempt. “Good Riddance!”, said one social media post. “Glad to see that old eye-sore gone…”, said another. And for a third all that could be mustered was a lazy “meh…”

Calgary, flush with all that sweet, sweet cash, seemingly cares little for things not shiny and new. But still there were many who lamented the loss.

The Enoch Sales House dates back to the early years of the twentieth century, 1904 or 1905 listed as the build date depending on the what records are viewed. Mr Sales ran a clothing business somewhere close by and lived in the house up until his death in 1930 although his family owned it into the 1940s. Latter it was a boarding house and apartments before becoming vacant in the early 2000s or thereabouts. And ever since it’s been boarded up and a target for squatters, vandals and general trouble makers. There, with the police within earshot.

Plans were to fix up the place at some point and make it a showpiece in a park that was to be established on the (parking lot) lands surrounding the house. But it never happened for reasons unknown. Recently, the Sales Place was festooned with balloons and made to look as though the house in the movie “Up”. For that time this “Beakerhead” exhibit was a popular attraction.

The community here, Victoria Park, is part of the Beltline District, sits a bit north of the Stampede Grounds and dates back well over a century. Mostly a working class neighbourhood for decades, it became quite run down in more modern times, but since has been going through a rebirth of sorts, with lots of tall and colourful condo towers dominating the scene today that not all that long ago was drug dens, flop houses and other places home to the destitute. It’s quite a trendy part of town now (but still a bit “rough”)…and expensive. Designer coffees don’t come cheap! “Vic Park” borders on the historic “warehouse” district.

To know more about the Enoch Sales House and the neighbourhood of which it stood, go here…The (Big Yellow) Enoch Sales house. We visited many years ago and did a more detailed history.

On visiting the Sales House some months back, little did we know it’d be the last time we’d see it. Late one night, the scene lit up by all those towering beacons of light, it looked so lonely, neglected and out of place, this forgotten relic from another time.

The night was busy. People out for a stroll, the shopping cart guys going about their business, a fight breaks out down the street, loudly heard but unseen. A group of old fellows shares a bottle over there on the grass, happy and content and oblivious to our presence. A parade of cars come into the parking lot which the Sales House occupies. Off to the casino, eh? Looks like Streetheart’s playing the lounge.

Ask a passing dog-walker if this all this is the normal here. He responds it’s a quiet night and speaks of the sometimes crazy goings on at the Sales House. Avoid it after midnight comes his advice. He goes to to say his condo overlooks the property and come the wee hours it can be a circus. Sirens, shouting, and the screeching of tires. What? That much trouble? There, within sight of a police station? His slow and deliberate head shake, with otherwise not a word said, give us our answer. And with a greeting we part ways. Camera’s are soon put away and we’re out of there. It’s about 10pm and it’s one last look in the rear view mirror. Keyword “last”…as in final.

A HUGE shout out to the firefighters who battled the Enoch Sales fire that blustery day. Talk about a tough job. I know it a title is normally reserved for the boys in blue, but this day those brave souls were Calgary’s Finest.

Outspoken City Counsellor Druh Farrell has called the whole Enoch Sales House debacle “demolition by neglect”. That sums it up pretty good I suppose. Google “Enoch Sales House Fire” to get an idea what others are saying. It’s heated, opinionated, sometimes eyeopening, and more than a tad depressing. It all should have been done different.

Interesting stuff in the area…
Eight Houses – the very last ones in the city’s core.
Oliver House – not far from the Sales place.
Old Barn, Big City – within sight of downtown.

If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!

Date: November, 2018.
Location: Calgary, Victoria Park.
Article references and thanks: City of Calgary.

A couple months before it burned down.

This is the historic Enoch Sales House.

It stood in this neglected state for many years.

In trendy Victoria Park.

And now the land can be redeveloped! Tripod photobomb.