Description of Historic Place

Located on the northern perimeter of the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site of Canada, the Percheron Box Stalls, also known as Building 29, constructed to accommodate and breed Percheron horses, consists of three simple, shed-roofed wings arranged in a U plan around a central paddock. The shed roofs meet each other at the corners of the U forming hipped roofs at these locations. The shed-roofed wings are made up of long banks of box stalls facing onto the paddock. The walls of the west and north wings are of light frame construction, with exterior walls clad in vertical boards and batten. The east wing’s wall assembly consists of peeled logs standing in the earth, sheathed with horizontal boards, pierced with windows and supporting a narrow clerestory. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Percheron Box Stalls 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 Percheron Box Stalls are the most evident structures remaining of George Lane’s large-scale Percheron Breeding Program. The Percheron Box Stalls are also associated with Patrick Burns, who purchased the Bar U Ranch in 1927 to add to his vast cattle empire. Burns, who is recognized as the kingpin of the meat processing industry in western Canada during the mid-1920’s, has been designated a person of national significance.

Architectural Value
The Percheron Box Stalls building is a major structure on the site and is an excellent example of a simple yet unusual function-oriented design that sets it apart from other buildings on the site. It has a strong aesthetic impact due to its scale, unusual massing and patina. Like other structures of this phase, the building reflects the gradual shift from log building tradition and use of native materials, to a reliance on external sources for building materials. The construction of the building reflects its utilitarian, function-driven character and its informal, innovative approach to design and materials.

Environmental Value
The Percheron Box Stalls is part of a cohesive complex of buildings arranged to great functional effect and reinforces the present visual character of the Bar U Ranch. The building, located on the northern perimeter of the ranch, is a conspicuous feature within the working area of the complex. It is also a component of the collection of pre-1927 buildings, which contribute to the landmark value of the complex as one of the region’s most important early ranch sites. The colour scheme of red walls and white trim continues a tradition across the Prairies and visually links this structure to other buildings on site.

Sources: Edward Mills, Historic Bar U Ranch Headquarters, Longview, Alberta, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Building Report 92-017; The Percheron Box Stalls(Building 29), Bar U Ranch, Longview, Alberta, Heritage Character Statement 92-017.

Character-Defining Elements

The character defining elements of the Percheron Box Stalls should be respected.

Its very good simple yet unusual function-oriented design, its strong aesthetic impact and its construction with its informal, innovative approach to design and materials as manifested in: its extensive scale and unusual massing; the large expanse of roof; its simple shed-roofed wings arranged in a U plan around a central paddock; the shed roofs meeting at the corners of the U and forming hipped roofs; its long banks of box stalls; its light frame construction; wall assembly of vertical board and batten cladding; wall assembly of peeled logs standing in earth; sheathed horizontal boards pierced with windows; its narrow clerestory; its minimal and informal foundations; the curb of concrete at the buildings perimeter; its colour scheme.

The manner in which the Percheron Box Stalls is 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 Percheron Box Stalls are part of the second phase of building at the Bar U Ranch, and are believed to have been built between 1902 and 1920. Their designer is unknown. After the Percheron herd was removed from the Ranch in 1927, the building was easily adapted for other uses, including grain storage. The Percheron Box Stalls are 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 Percheron Box Stalls building, as a component of the Bar U Ranch complex, was designated "Classified" because of the historical associations of the structure and the ranch as a whole, because of its contribution to the overall aesthetic qualities of the complex, and because of the exceptional qualities of the site and setting.

The Bar U Ranch is strongly associated with the development of ranching in Alberta. The Percheron Box Stalls are associated with George Lane's large-scale Percheron breeding program at the Bar U and with the development of ranching in Alberta. The building is the most evident structure remaining of the Percheron breeding program at the Bar U. The Percheron Box Stalls are also associated with Patrick Burns, who purchased the Bar U Ranch in 1927 to add to his vast cattle empire. Burns, who is recognized as the kingpin of the meat processing industry in western Canada during the mid-1920s, has been designated a person of national significance.

A major structure on the site, the Percheron Box Stalls building is the product of a simple yet unusual function-oriented design that sets it apart from other buildings on the site. It has a strong aesthetic impact due to its scale, unusual massing and patina. Like other structures of this phase, the building reflects the gradual shift from log building tradition and use of native materials, to a reliance on external sources for building materials.

As part of a cohesive complex of buildings arranged to great functional effect in a simple and beautiful natural setting, the Percheron Box Stalls building contributes significantly to the character of the Bar U Ranch. The building, located on the northern perimeter of the ranch, is a conspicuous feature within the working area of the complex. It is also a component of the collection of pre-1927 buildings which contribute to the landmark value of the complex as one of the region's most important early ranch sites. This landmark value is reinforced by the designation of the complex as a National Historic Site.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Percheron Box Stalls structure resides in its scale, form, plan, massing, design, construction materials, exterior finish, interior hardware and features, and setting.

This extensive structure consists of three simple shed-roofed wings arranged in a "U" plan around a central paddock. The shed roofs meet each other at the corners of the "U", forming hipped roofs at these locations. The large expanse of roof is a significant feature of the building; decisions about cladding and colour would have a major impact on character and should be based on sound documentary and physical evidence.

The shed-roofed wings are made up of long banks of box stalls facing onto the paddock. Each stall has a horse door that is divided horizontally in two sections, with an additional hatch opening above the door.

The construction of the building reflects its utilitarian, function-driven character and its informal, innovative approach to design and materials. The walls of the west and north wings are of light frame construction, with exterior walls clad in vertical board and batten. Foundations are minimal and informal. The east wing's wall assembly consists of peeled logs standing in the earth, sheathed with horizontal boards, pierced with windows and supporting a narrow clerestory. A curb of concrete at the building's perimeter is an example of the minimalist approach to maintenance and the liberal, inappropriate use of poor quality concrete to repair foundations, which was widespread at the Ranch during certain periods. The informal, low tech, low cost approach to some new construction and to repairs is character-defining and should be respected. At the same time, repairs and ongoing maintenance should aim for a balance between authenticity of repair technique, and good building practice to prevent accelerated deterioration of original materials.

The exterior of the Percheron Box Stalls has remained virtually unchanged since its construction. The colour scheme (red walls and white trim) continues a tradition across the Prairies and visually links this structure to other buildings on site.

At the interior, evidence of the original function of the building, including features, hardware and patina, should be retained.

Any development should seek to retain the unornamented, functional quality of the site and respect existing patterns of access and circulation. Any changes to circulation or access should consider historic patterns. The long narrow trough or feed bin, with lapped corner joints, located in the courtyard, is of interest and should be conserved.