Description of Historic Place

Stable (Building No. 15) is a large, rectangular barn attached to Cattle Barn (Building No. 14) to form an L-shaped site at the centre of the Indian Head Agricultural Research Farm, Saskatchewan. Typical to the design of commercial barns of the era, it has a concrete foundation and board and batten siding. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Stable (Building No. 15) is a “Recognized” Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
Stable (Building No. 15) is a very good example of the theme of agricultural research by the federal government to improve agriculture through constructing a network of Canadian experimental farms. The building represents the importance of early 20th century livestock research through its integral role within the Indian Head Research Farm. Constructed in 1912-1914 to replace an earlier structure, the Stable illustrates the region’s development during a period of rapid growth in agricultural research and the importance of livestock breeding to the local community.

Architectural Value
Stable (Building No. 15) is a good representation of a typical barn built in the 1910s despite its uniquely large scale. The wood-framed stable features horizontal massing, rectangular and round windows and ventilator cupolas, a bellcast gambrel roof and a concrete foundation and floor. Its good functional design is seen through extra storage space in the gambrel roof, standard stall and aisle layout, large windows to increase daylight and a Rutherford ventilation system to increase fresh air intake. Designed by W. T. Mollard of the Department of Public Works Saskatchewan and Alberta, Stable (Building No. 15) displays very good quality craftsmanship and materials.

Environmental Value
Stable (Building No. 15) has retained its relationship with its associated landscape despite minor changes due to evolving functions. As one of the dominating buildings at the centre of the Indian Head Research Farm, set in an expanse of open fields, Stable (Building No. 15) reinforces the character of its rural farm-like setting. A popular destination for visitors, the Stable has been depicted in literature and cinema following the theme of Western Canada and is also recognized as being one of the largest of its kind in the province.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of Stable (Building No. 15) that should be respected include:

— its early 20th century style typical of a Canadian experimental farm barn built in the 1910s;
— its large, rectangular, horizontal massing, the frame construction with board and batten siding, the visible raised concrete foundation, the windows on all sides, the doors on its north, west and east sides, and the bellcast gambrel roof with metal cladding and two remaining cupolas for ventilation;
— the original placement, design and materials of doors and windows; including the large double-door entrance on the east elevation, the entrances on the north and west elevations, and the simple, exterior paint scheme of white dark trim;
— the Rutherford ventilation system;
— the simple, functional interior layout;
— the building’s position within the Indian Head Research Farm and its visual and physical relationship to Cattle Barn (Building No. 14);
— its central location on the Indian Head Research Farm, directly across from the main (west) farm entrance.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

Description of historic place
Stable (Building No. 15) is a large, rectangular, wood-framed barn, minimally attached to a Cattle Barn (Building 14) of similar design in an ‘L’- shaped configuration. Representative of commercial barns of the era it has a concrete foundation, a bellcast gambrel roof, a large access door, board and batten siding, and rectangular windows. It is white painted with contrasting trim. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.


Heritage value
Stable (Building No. 15) is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building due to its historical, architectural and environmental value.

Historical value
The Stable (Building No.15) is a very good example to illustrate the theme of agricultural research conducted by the federal government to promote and improve agriculture via a network of Canadian experimental farms. Integral to the Indian Head Research Farm, one of the five original experimental farms in the network, the building illustrates the importance of early 20th century livestock research. Constructed 1912-1914, the Stable (Building No. 15) is a very good illustration of the region’s development and prosperity during a period of rapid growth in agricultural research. It marks a phase of significant intensification in the Farm’s breeding program. Built to replace the 1912 stable destroyed by fire, the new building incorporated functional improvements and was visually prominent to emphasise the importance of livestock breeding to the local farm community.

Architectural value
Larger in scale than most commercial barns of the time, the Stable (Building No. 15) is a good example of a barn built in the 1910s. Features include a bellcast gambrel roof, board and batten siding and a concrete foundation and floor. Minimally connected to the Cattle Barn (Building 14) to form an “L”, the barns are similar in plan and form. The Stable features horizontal massing, rectangular windows that are larger at the lower level, round windows, ventilator cupolas and contrasting trim. Representative of period local barns it has good functional qualities with livestock below, hay and storage above, good day lighting and efficient ventilation. Functional design points include extra storage space in the gambrel roof, standard stall and aisle layout for ease of movement, large windows at lower animal levels to increase daylight; and a Rutherford ventilation system with fresh air intake through the foundation walls and exhaust shafts from the loft floors through the roof. A cupola has been removed from the Stable roof. Used now for storage, the barn has seen few changes and has adapted to changing requirements.The barn displays very good quality craftsmanship and materials. Used for its intended function, housing livestock, until the 1960s, it had little maintenance since but remains in good condition. The Stable was designed by W.T. Mollard, Department of Public Works Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Environmental value
Surrounding silos and sheds have been replaced and removed and the farm entrance location changed due to evolving functions. Despite these changes the character of the historical relationship between the Stable and its associated environment has been retained. The two barns continue to dominate the site. Located at the centre of the experimental farm, the Stable is in line with the main entrance. Situated within a complex of buildings set in a large expanse of open fields, the prominence, scale, design and function of the Stable reinforces the character of its rural farm setting. Popular with visitors, often photographed and painted, the Stable has been depicted in two books on barns in western Canada and featured in the film “The Englishman’s Boy”. The local Heritage Resources Branch of the Department of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sports recognizes the building as known in the region as being amongst the largest of its kind in the province.

Character-Defining Elements
The following character-defining elements of the Stable (Building No.15) which must be respected include:

• its early 20th century style representative of the type of barn built at Canadian experimental farms in the 1910s;
• the large rectangular massing with horizontal emphasis, the frame construction with board and batten siding, set on an exposed, raised concrete foundation visible from the outside with windows on all sides and doors on its north, west and east sides, and the gambrel roof with a slight bellcast and metal cladding, and the two remaining cupolas for ventilation;
• the original placement, design and materials of doors and windows of different sizes; including the large double-door entrance on the east elevation, and the entrances on the north and west elevations, and the simple, exterior’s paint scheme of white with dark trim, and the Rutherford ventilation system;
• the interior’s simple, functional layout, designed to accommodate horses;
• the building’s contribution to the composition of the Indian Head Research Farm and its visual and physical relationship to the Cattle Barn (Building No.14).
• the location on the Indian Head Research Farm, in the central portion, directly across from the main (west) farm entrance.