Description of Historic Place

The Banff National Park of Canada Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin is a one-and-a-half storey split-stone cabin of simple design with a rectangular plan and a gabled roof of medium pitch with minimal overhang. Constructed in 1922, it has a single entrance on the façade, accessed from a more recently constructed flat wooden porch. This porch is built over the original stone platform. The cabin is located right on the continental divide and the border between Banff and Yoho National Parks. Located at an altitude of 2 925.5 metres (9598 feet), it is the second highest building in the country. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin is a Classified Federal Heritage building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
The Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin represents the theme of alpine recreation in Canada. It remains a well-known icon to the national and international alpine community, and a reminder of the pioneer days of Canadian alpine climbing. The Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin illustrates the period that became known as the golden age of mountaineering in Canada. Through its Swiss designers, it is associated with the long tradition of mountain shelters and Swiss mountain guides. The cabin is unique for being both the only shelter above the tree line and for being the only surviving example of an alpine hut in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Architectural Value
The Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin is a very good and attractive example of rustic architecture. It is based on the model of high-altitude vernacular, alpine huts of Switzerland. The Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin has been described as one of the most impressive structures in the Canadian Alpine world. A very rare example of a stone cabin in the national parks, it was designed to be highly compatible with its unique setting through the use of natural materials in appropriate colours and textures.

Environmental Value
Accessed via a steep scree, the Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin was constructed in a high mountain pass. Designed as a mountain refuge, it still serves its original purpose. The Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin is successful as an extension of the natural character of its environment. The Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin reinforces the character of the Rockies between Mounts Lefroy and Victoria. This structure successfully harmonizes with its environment through careful selection and use of materials. The Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin is tiny relative to the landscape. Its existence is an isolated but permanent sign of human presence in this uninhabited area.

Sources:
Rhona Goodspeed, Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin, Abbot Pass, Banff National Park, Alberta. Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 97-098; Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin, Abbot Pass, Banff National Park, Alberta, Heritage Character Statement 97-098.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin should be respected.

Its rustic design and good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example: the simple compact form, massing and balanced symmetrical composition of this one and a half-storey structure; the well constructed stonework using locally available rock; the simple features, such as the single entrance on the façade and the small window on all four elevations; the original entrance platform built of the same stone as the cabin and which remains under the recently constructed flat wooden porch; the layout of kitchen/dining area near the entrance with the sleeping area behind it on the main floor is designed to be purely functional; the use of local materials such as the roughly finished stones of split limestone quarried on site and the resulting complementary colours and textures; the building’s design, scale, and its location within the dramatic and pristine setting of the Canadian Rocky Mountains; its visual prominence due to its the unobstructed placement above a steep incline of scree behind a central peak; its continuing use as a refuge for visitors;

The manner in which the building reinforces the dramatic character of the mountain landscape.

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 Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin was constructed in 1922, under the sponsorship of the Canadian Pacific Railway, to a design by Swiss mountain guides Edward Feuz, Jr. and Rudolph Aemmer. Built in a high mountain pass to accommodate parties of mountaineers, this one and a half storey cabin has undergone alterations shortly after Parks Canada took ownership in 1968, and again in 1986, 1993 and 1997. The building continues in its original use as an alpine cabin and is leased by the custodian, Parks Canada, to the Alpine Club of Canada. The cabin, located in Banff National Park, was designated a National Historic Site in 1992. See FHBRO Building Report 97-98.

Reasons for Designation

The Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin has been designated Classified for its historical associations, architectural significance and environmental qualities.

The cabin illustrates the period that became known as the golden age of mountaineering in Canada. Through its Swiss designers, it is associated with the long tradition of mountain shelters and Swiss mountain guides. The refuge cabin represents the theme of alpine recreation in Canada. The cabin is unique for being both the only shelter above the tree line, and for being the only surviving example of an alpine hut in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It remains a well-known icon to the national and international alpine community.

The Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin is a very good and attractive example of rustic architecture. A very rare example of a stone cabin in the national parks, it was designed to be highly compatible with its unique setting through the use of natural materials in appropriate colours and textures. The builders accomplished a great feat in transporting the construction materials and erecting a high quality structure in such a remote and formidable location.

As an extension of the natural character of its environment, the Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin reinforces the character of the Rockies between Mounts Lefroy and Victoria.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin resides in its overall form, scale, rustic design, details, materials, interiors and site relationships.

The Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin is a one-and-one-half-storey stone cabin of rectangular plan with a medium-pitched wood gabled roof, a single entrance in the principal gabled end, and small windows on all four elevations. Its simple design was in direct response to basic shelter requirements, and was executed in a rustic style popular during this period in the national parks. A wood porch added to the original entrance platform now covers and extends beyond the original stone platform. While a relatively sympathetic feature, it does alter the intended simplicity of the overall design. Future work should seek to respect and enhance the simple lines and massing which are important to the heritage character of the building.

The simplicity of the design is distinguished by the use of materials with strong colours textures. The roughly coursed stone walls, built with split limestone quarried on the site, are highly textured and complement the character of the site. When re-roofing is required, consideration should be given to a design and material based on the texture and pattern of the original roof. Fascia boards at the gabled ends and exposed rafter tails projecting under the eaves are details that should be retained.

The windows originally had protective wood shutters. In future work programs, consideration should be given to reinstating window shutters sympathetic to the original design.

The original function of the Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin was shelter. Though the interior has been completely renovated since 1968, its function remains the same and the layout is generally unchanged. The interior plan delineation of kitchen/dining area and sleeping areas should be maintained.

An outhouse is situated behind and above the cabin and an unobtrusive helicopter landing pad of railway ties and rock is located downhill from it. In general, the integrity of the site has been retained. The setting is wild, inhospitable, with a natural beauty and spectacular views of the surrounding mountainous landscape. Any modification to the site or setting, or potential impact on views to and from the building, should be resisted.

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



1999.12.24