Description of Historic Place

The Privy at the Bar U Ranch is a small light-wood-frame structure with a shed roof. Its exterior walls are clad in cove siding and shiplap. Its roof is covered with milled cedar shingles and has a slight upturn at its high end. The structure rests on a simple joist and plank platform and sits directly on the ground, over a shallow pit. The Privy is located a short distance from the abattoir, to its southwest, where surrounding trees screen its view, in a cottonwood grove on the north side of Pekisko Creek midway between two piggeries and within the working area of the complex. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Privy 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 Privy played a supporting role in that development. The Privy is 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 Privy building is a very good example of an unornamented, functional design characteristic of many buildings erected at the Bar U Ranch. Its value lies in its construction techniques and materials in evidence of its specialized function as a privy.

Environmental Value
The Privy 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 structure within the working area of the complex maintains a physical and functional relationship to the other buildings. Its placement was likely chosen because a variety of operational facilities existed in the vicinity and was well known to those working at the ranch.

Sources:
Edward Mills, Historic Bar U Ranch Headquarters, Longview, Alberta, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Building Report 92-017.

Privy (Building 28), Bar U Ranch, Longview, Alberta. Heritage Character Statement 92-017.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character defining elements of the Privy should be respected, for example:

Its very good unornamented, functional design, construction techniques and materials as manifested in:
Its small, light-wood frame structure. Its cladding of shiplap and cove siding. Its roof clad with milled shingles and slight upturn at high end. Its simple plank and joist platform. Its interior and exterior patina. Its location over a shallow pit.


The manner in which the Privy, 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 Privy at the Bar U Ranch appeared as part of the second phase of construction (ca. 1902-05 to the 1940s), however, the precise construction date is unknown. The Privy 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 Privy, as a component of the Bar U Ranch complex, was designated "Classified" because of the historical associations of 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.

The Bar U Ranch is strongly associated with the development of ranching in Alberta. The Privy played a supporting role in that development. The Privy is 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.

As part of a cohesive complex of buildings arranged to great functional effect in a simple and beautiful natural setting, the Privy contributes to the character of the Bar U Ranch. The Privy is located a short distance from the abattoir, to its southwest, in a cottonwood grove on the north side of Pekisko Creek, mid-way between two piggeries and within the working area of the complex. Originally, this position was outside the formal ranch headquarters site. Surrounding trees screen the view. Its placement was likely chosen because a variety of operational facilities existed in the vicinity.

The Privy's unornamented, functional design is characteristic of many buildings erected at the Bar U Ranch. The structure may have been constructed from salvaged building materials existing on the site.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Privy resides in its construction techniques and materials, in evidence of its specialized function and in its setting.

The Privy is a small light-wood-frame structure with a shed roof. Its exterior walls are clad in cove siding and shiplap. Its roof is covered with milled cedar shingles and has a slight upturn at its high end, created with short pieces of wood nailed at an angle on each rafter. The structure rests on a simple joist and plank platform and sits directly on the ground, over a shallow pit. These features contribute to the building's heritage character and should be protected in any future modifications or maintenance work.

Interior stud walls have diagonal braces and are not sheathed. There exists only one seat hole. Patina should be protected and retained.

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. The relationship of the Privy to the Abattoir and its screened view are important to its heritage character and should be protected.