Hextall, a landowner born in 1861, received title on August 4, 1910, then quickly saw the possibility of developing his ranch into a garden suburb for the wealthy.
John Hextall was a landowner who founded the community of Bowness, now part of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. John Hextall was born in 1861 at Canonbury House in Islington, London, England, the fourth child of a wealthy silk merchant. The purchase price was "$94,000 and no more" and Hextall received title on August 4, 1910. Hextall quickly saw the possibility of developing his ranch into a garden suburb for the wealthy who would be able to live in country homes along the banks of the river in close proximity to the city. 
