Description of Historic Place

Storage Building 10 is the westernmost of the row of three storage buildings at Bar U Ranch. It is a simple, one-storey structure with a gabled roof. Its walls are of horizontal squared log construction, and unlike its neighbours it is sheathed with a veneer of beveled siding. The roof of Building 10 consists of pole rafters tied with ceiling joists, and is covered with cedar shingles. The interior is undivided and walls and ceilings are sheathed with sheet-metal panels. Building 10 is situated in close proximity to the other two storage buildings, with roof eaves overlapping in some places. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Storage Building 10 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. An integral component of the historic grouping associated with the community center focused on Pekisko Creek, Storage Building 10 had an important functional role in daily life as the Ranch was being established. It is associated with George Lane, a prominent Alberta cattleman, hired at the Bar U in 1884 to serve as the ranch foreman and ran the ranch between 1902 and 1925. The building is also associated with Patrick Burns who purchased the Bar U in 1927 to add to his vast cattle empire. Recognized as the kingpin of the meat processing industry in western Canada during the mid-1920's, Burns has been designated a person of national significance.


Architectural Value
Storage Building 10 is a very good example of a simple, function-oriented approach to construction. The grouping of which it is a part has a strong aesthetic impact due to the squat massing of the buildings, their tight cohesive arrangement and the interplay of varying roof slopes. Its configuration is characteristic of basic structures built as preliminary shelters or as outbuildings during the early stages of settlement in western Canada.

Environmental Value
Storage Building 10 is part of a cohesive complex of buildings arranged to great functional effect and reinforces the present visual character of the Bar U Ranch. Situated on the edge of Pekisko Creek in close proximity to the other two storage buildings, the relationship of the three buildings to grade is distinctive, with the middle building sitting very low and the westernmost building sitting higher than the other two buildings. 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.

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

Storage Building (Building 10), Bar U Ranch, Longview, Alberta. Heritage Character Statement 92-017.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character defining elements of Storage Building 10 should be respected, for example:

Its very good simple, function oriented design and approach to log construction in its massing, construction techniques and materials as manifested in: Its simple one-storey structure Its gable roof supported by pole rafters tied with ceiling joists. Its roof cladding. Its walls of horizontal squared log construction. Its veneer of beveled siding. Its interior sheet-metal panels.
The manner in which Storage Building 10, as part of a cohesive complex of buildings, reinforces the present 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.

Storage Building 10 is a part of the first phase of construction at the Bar U Ranch, ca. mid-1880s to the early 1900s. It is believed that Storage Building 10 was built at another location, then moved to its existing site before 1916. The buildings is one in a row of three storage buildings, and originally stored supplies related to food preparation in the nearby Bunkhouse/Cookhouse. Storage Building 10 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

Storage Building 10 was designated "Classified" because of the historical associations of the building as a component of the ranch, because of its functional design and contribution to the overall aesthetic qualities of the complex, and because of the exceptional qualities of the site and setting.

As a component of the Bar U Ranch, Storage Building 10 is strongly associated with the development of ranching in Alberta. Constructed between the mid-1880s and the early 1900s, it is also associated with George Lane, a prominent Alberta cattleman, who was hired at the Bar U in 1884 to serve as the ranch foreman and who ran the ranch between 1902 and 1925. Storage Building 10 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.

An integral component of the historic grouping associated with the community centre, Storage Building 10 had an important functional role in daily life as the ranch was being established. Its configuration is characteristic of basic structures built as preliminary shelters or as outbuildings during the early stages of settlement in western Canada. Individually, Storage Building 10 is the product of a simple, function-oriented approach to construction. The grouping of which it is a part has a strong aesthetic impact due to the squat massing of the buildings, their tight, cohesive arrangement and the interplay of varying roof slopes.

As part of a larger cohesive complex of buildings arranged to great functional effect in a simple and beautiful natural setting, Storage Building 10 contributes significantly to the character of the Bar U Ranch. The structure serves to reinforce the Ranch's present character, which is that of a historic ranch headquarters. 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 Storage Building 10 resides in its massing, construction techniques and materials, exterior finish, interior features and its tight physical relationship with the adjacent storage buildings and with Pekisko Creek.

Storage Building 10 is the westernmost of the row of three storage buildings. It is a simple, one-storey structure with a gabled roof. Its walls are of horizontal squared log construction, and unlike its neighbours, it is sheathed with a veneer of beveled siding. The roof of Building 10 consists of pole rafters tied with ceiling joists, and is covered with cedar shingles.

The interior is undivided. Walls and ceilings are sheathed with sheet-metal panels, suggesting a specialized function, possibly for fuel storage. Clues to the building's evolution, evidence of original functions and the patina of wear should be protected.

Building 10 is situated in close proximity to the other two storage buildings, with roof eaves overlapping in some places. The relationship to grade is distinctive, with the middle building sitting very low and the westernmost building sitting higher than the other two buildings. This characteristic siting and elevation 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.