Description of Historic Place

The Poultry Building at the Bar U Ranch complex consists of a main section with additions at its west and east sides. The central, earlier one-storey section is of light-frame construction and rests on a concrete foundation. Its exterior walls are sheathed with shiplap, while its gable roof is clad with cedar shingles and is topped with two small ventilation cupolas. Four twelve-light storm windows, installed horizontally, are found on the south façade. The interior is divided equally into two rooms. The chicken stalls are located on the north wall. The west addition, built to shelter sheep is of pole construction, sheathed on the west and north façade with vertical boards and battens, and on the south façade with widely spaced horizontal boards. The third section, built in the late 1950's is a simple lean-to, built with large poles, on the east end of the structure. The north wall is covered with vertical board siding, while the other two sides are open and has a shed roof. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Poultry Building 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 Poultry Building, reflects this development. The Poultry Building 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 Poultry Building is a very good example of utilitarian design with simple massing despite its composite nature. Its functional design, form, and massing along with the simplicity of its construction and the low-tech utilitarian nature of the construction materials and techniques contribute to its architectural value.

Environmental Value
The Poultry Building is part of a cohesive composition of buildings arranged to great functional effect and reinforces the visual character of the Bar U Ranch. The utilitarian design complements the overall character of the Ranch while its exterior appearance links it to other buildings on the site. The building's colour scheme (barn red walls and white trim) continues a tradition across the Prairies and matches other buildings on the site.

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

The Poultry Building (Building 21), Bar U Ranch, Longview, Alberta. Heritage Character Statement 92-017.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its very good utilitarian design, simple construction and the low-tech nature of the construction materials and techniques as manifested in:
Its simple structure. Its gable roof clad with shingles and topped by two small ventilation cupolas. Its light-frame construction on a concrete foundation. Its shiplap sheathing. Its twelve-light storm windows. Its west addition pole construction with vertical boards and battens. Widely spaced horizontal boards. Its east addition, simple lean-to of large poles and vertical board siding. Its shed roof. Its colour scheme.

The manner in which the Poultry Building 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 Poultry Building at the Bar U Ranch was built prior to 1930, during the second phase of development at the site. It was probably moved to its current location between 1927 and 1930. Its original design and use have not been determined, although it was used as a chicken coop for some time in the 1950s. The Poultry Building is part of the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site. Parks Canada is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 92-17.

Reasons for Designation

This Poultry Building as a component of the Bar U Ranch, 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 ranch.

As part of the Bar U Ranch complex, the Poultry Building is associated with the development of ranching in Alberta. The Poultry Building 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.

The structure sits on the edge of a cottonwood grove, within the management and residential area of the ranch, hidden from easy view by high grass and trees. As part of a cohesive complex of buildings arranged to great functional effect in a simple and beautiful natural setting, the Poultry Building contributes to the character of the Bar U Ranch.

The utilitarian design of the Poultry Building complements the overall character of the ranch. Its exterior appearance links it to other buildings on the site.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Poultry Building resides in its functional design, form, massing, construction materials and techniques, exterior finish, clues to previous forms, and its secluded setting.

The Poultry Building has simple massing despite its composite nature. It consists of a main section with additions at its west and east sides. The central, one-storey section is the earliest part of the structure. It is of light-frame construction and rests on a concrete foundation. Its exterior walls are sheathed with shiplap, while its gable roof is clad with cedar shingles and is topped with two small ventilation cupolas. Four 12-light storm windows, installed horizontally, are found on the south façade. At the lower extremity of this façade, ghost images suggest that similarly sized windows had previously been installed vertically. All of these heritage character defining features, including evidence of earlier features, should be protected. The low-tech, utilitarian nature of the construction materials and techniques and the patina of weathering should be respected.

At the interior, the main section is equally divided into two rooms, each having finished floors, ceilings and walls. Chicken stalls are located on the north wall. These elements, as well as the simple, unornamented character of the interior and its functionally-driven planning should be retained.

The west addition was built to shelter sheep, presumably after the building was moved to its present location. It is of pole construction, sheathed on the west and north façades with vertical boards and battens, and on the south façade with widely-spaced horizontal boards. The third section of the Poultry Building, built in the late 1950s, is a simple lean-to, built with large poles, on the east end of the structure. The north wall is covered with vertical board siding, while the other two sides are open. It has a shed roof and is believed to have been used for hay storage.

The simplicity of this construction and the utilitarian materials and fasteners used should be respected in any repair work. The building's colour scheme (barn red walls and white trim) continues a tradition across the Prairies and matches other buildings on the site.

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 between the Poultry Building and the Poultry Shed (Building 21a), and the utilitarian nature of their immediate setting should be maintained.

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