Description of Historic Place

The Casa Loma, Building (A2) in Riding Mountain National Park is situated on a lot in the original Clear Lake subdivision, a block away from the waterfront. It is a rectangular two-storey structure where the hipped roof of the second storey rises from the truncated hip roof of the large ground floor. The doorway is flanked by tripartite multi-paned windows, and evenly spaced windows line the second storey roofline. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Casa Loma, Building (A2) in Riding Mountain National Park is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values:

Historical value:
The Casa Loma, Building (A2) in Riding Mountain National Park is associated with the development of the National Parks in Manitoba and serves as a specific example of those cottages constructed in the 1920s and 1930s in the Wasagaming townsite of Riding Mountain National Park. These structures reflect the traditions of Scandinavian artisans who had established a settlement known as New Sweden to the southwest of the present Park. Eric Hall, its builder and original owner constructed much of the early stonework at Clear Lake. Its second owner, John Anderson, an accomplished log builder, was responsible for the construction of a succession of cottages, park buildings and commercial structures. Both men, as prominent members of the settlement, were associated with Casa Loma’s development.

Architectural value:
The Casa Loma, Building (A2) in Riding Mountain National Park is a good example of a vernacular cottage style residence representative of those built by local Scandinavian artisans. It is a good functional structure in an informal style.

Environmental value:
The Casa Loma, Building (A2) in Riding Mountain National Park reinforces its natural landscape setting in the Wasagaming townsite and is familiar to those in the neighbourhood.

Sources:
Casa Loma (A2), 154 Wasagaming Drive, Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba. Heritage Character Statement 85-054; G. Edward Mills, Forest Reserve Buildings, Building 2, Buildings in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba. Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 85-043 to 85-054.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Casa Loma, Building (A2) in Riding Mountain National Park should be respected, for example:

Its vernacular style and very good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example: the low massing of the rectangular, two-storey structure; the hipped roof of the second storey that rises from the truncated hip roof of the large ground floor; the rafter rails visible under the broad roof overhang at both storeys; the wood lattice panels between concrete foundation piers, and wood shutters added to the front door and side windows; the doorway flanked by tri-partite multi-paned windows and the evenly-spaced windows on the second storey.

The manner in which the Casa Loma, Building (A2) in Riding Mountain National Park reinforces the natural landscape setting within Riding Mountain National Park as evidenced by: its scale, simple massing, and natural building materials; its compatibility with adjacent structures within the residential area of the Wasagaming townsite.

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.

The cottage known as Casa Loma was built in 1928-29 by Eric Hall, and owned by him until 1932. It was operated as a tourist home from 1944 until acquired by the National Parks Service in the 1960s, after which time it was used as a dormitory for summer staff of Riding Mountain National Park. The building is currently owned by Parks Canada. See FHBRO Building Report 85-54.

Reasons for Designation
Casa Loma was designated Recognized for architectural, historical and environmental reasons. In its form and craftsmanship, the building is representative of cottages constructed in the 1920s and 1930s in the Wasagaming town site area (formerly called Clear Lake) of Riding Mountain National Park. These structures reflect the building traditions of Scandinavian artisans who had established a settlement known as New Sweden to the south west of the present park. Two prominent members of this group are directly associated with Casa Loma: Eric Hall, its builder and original owner, to whom is attributed much of the early stonework at Clear Lake; and its second owner, John Anderson, an accomplished log builder responsible for the construction of a succession of cottages, park buildings and commercial structures.

Casa Loma's construction was roughly contemporary with the designation of Riding Mountain as Canada's fourteenth national park in 1930. Its later acquisition by the park exemplifies the shift away from resort development in the national parks, as expressed in the National Parks Policy which appeared in 1964.

In its form and materials, Casa Loma is compatible with adjacent structures and complements its natural landscape setting.

Character Defining Elements
The heritage value of Casa Loma resides in its distinctive pagoda-like profile, in the simple yet well-crafted nature of its exterior, and in the character of its natural setting.

Casa Loma is a two-storey vernacular structure whose composition still expresses the original design symmetry. The hipped-roof second storey rises from the truncated hip roof of the large ground floor. Openings include the doorway flanked by tripartite multi-paned windows, the tripartite window of the side addition, and four evenly-spaced windows on the second storey. The exterior is clad in wide drop siding that is typical of early Clear Lake cottages and was probably milled locally. Window and door casings, corner boards and skirting boards are simply executed but add to the overall impression of quality construction.

Casa Loma's simple cottage character is enhanced by such features as rafter tails visible under the broad roof overhang at both storeys, wood lattice panels between concrete foundation piers, and wood shutters added to the front door and side windows early in the building's history.

The addition built on the north side in 1946 was executed in compatible materials and does not impinge on the cottage's character. The ground floor window to the right of the principal entrance was lengthened at some point; however, the general form and configuration of the fenestration have been retained and should continue to be respected.

Historic photographs show a cedar shingle roof rather than asphalt shingle, and a simple wooden landing and stair in place of the existing concrete steps and iron handrail at the front door. A return to traditional materials at these locations would be appropriate.

Investigation of the interior should be undertaken to identify original floor plans, features and finishes. Such elements should be retained and restored as components of the building's overall heritage value.

Like the building, the site is characterized by a simple treatment of natural materials, and should be managed in a way that respects and preserves the natural setting. Care should be taken to ensure that trees and vegetation in close proximity to the structure are not permitted to degrade exterior finishes. The garage structure at the rear of the property, called "Little Casa Loma", is not a designated building but is compatible with the character of the site.