Description of Historic Place

The Livestock Shed on Bar U Ranch National Historic Site of Canada, also known as Building 31A, is situated on the south bank of Pekisko Creek within the working area, screened by a cottonwood grove and the eastern slope of the valley. The Livestock Shed is a small, simple, rectangular structure. Its gabled roof is covered with cedar shingles and the walls, which are of light frame construction, and sheathed with horizontal boards on both the exterior and the interior. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Livestock Shed is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
The Bar U Ranch complex is one of the best examples of the development of the ranching industry in Alberta and its importance in the development of Canada. The Livestock Shed as part of a cohesive complex of buildings reflects this development as a building that sheltered animals in association with the Piggery.

Architectural Value
The Livestock Shed is a very good example of the unornamented, functional design characteristic of agricultural buildings erected at the Bar U Ranch. Chosen construction materials and techniques contribute to the building’s visual cohesiveness within the site and to its utilitarian character. The varied sized lumber used for its construction suggests it may have been built with recycled material, expressing the resourcefulness of the ranch’s managers.

Environmental Value
The Livestock Shed is part of a cohesive complex of buildings arranged to great functional effect and reinforces present visual character of the Bar U Ranch. The structure sits directly on the ground and has an important relationship to the Piggery and Self-Feeder.

Sources: Edward Mills, Historic Bar U Ranch Headquarters, Longview, Alberta, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Building Report 92-017; Livestock Shed (Building 31), Bar U Ranch, Longview, Alberta, Heritage Character Statement 92-017.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Livestock Shed should be respected.

Its very good unornamented, functional design, chosen construction materials, techniques and materials as manifested in: its simple rectangular structure; its gabled-roof covered with cedar shingles; its light frame construction; its exterior and interior sheathed with horizontal boards; the varied sized lumber used for its construction.

The manner in which the Livestock Shed as part of a cohesive complex of buildings, reinforces the visual character of the Bar U Ranch.

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 Livestock Shed at the Bar U Ranch is believed to have been either relocated to its present site, after 1940, or built on site from recycled materials for use as an animal shelter. The Livestock Shed is a component of the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site. Parks Canada is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 92-17.

Reasons for Designation

The Livestock Shed, as a component of the Bar U Ranch complex, was designated "Classified" because of the historical associations of this building and the ranch as a whole, because of the exceptional qualities of the site and setting, and because of its contribution to the overall aesthetic qualities of the complex.

As a component of the Bar U Ranch, the Livestock Shed is associated with the development of ranching in Alberta. It was presumably used in association with the Piggery, possibly as a segregation unit or for overflow.

The Livestock Shed's unornamented, functional design is characteristic of buildings erected at the Bar U Ranch. The varied sized lumber used for its construction suggests it may have been built with recycled material, expressing the resourcefulness of the ranch's managers.

As part of a cohesive complex of buildings arranged to great functional effect in a simple and beautiful natural setting, the Livestock Shed contributes significantly to the character of the Bar U Ranch. Along with the Piggery and Self-Feeder, it is situated on the south bank of Pekisko Creek within the working area, screened by a cottonwood grove and the eastern slope of the valley.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Livestock Shed resides in its construction materials, exterior and interior finishes, the clues it holds to its evolution, and its setting.

The Livestock Shed is a small, simple, rectangular structure. Its gabled roof is covered with cedar shingles. The walls are of light frame construction and are sheathed with horizontal boards on both the exterior and interior. The structure sits directly on the ground. Remnants of tar paper exists on the north, south and east exterior façades. Chosen construction materials and techniques contribute to the building's visual cohesiveness within the site and to its utilitarian character. This should be protected in any future modifications or maintenance work.

Evidence of wall paper covering and tacks are found on the interior walls. Such clues to the structure's evolution over time should be protected.

Any development should seek to retain the functional quality of the site, and respect existing patterns of access and circulation. Any changes to circulation or access should consider historic patterns related to the movement of grain tanks, wagons and motorized vehicles. The Livestock Shed's relationship to the Piggery and Self-Feeder, and its setting are important to its heritage character and should be protected.

For further guidance, please refer to the FHBRO Code of Practice.