Description of Historic Place

The Implement Shed at the Bar U Ranch, otherwise known as Building 18, is a long rectangular shaped, red and white building with a tall gable-roofed mid-section and was constructed in three stages. The original structure before 1910, the second section adjoining the east wall by 1916 and the third section, which abuts the west side after 1950. The original structure, middle section is a tall gable-roofed shed with a north facing entrance door. The second phase structure joined at the east wall and third section are long and rectangular in shape with flat roofs. It is a major building on site as it was used to store farm machinery acquired progressively as the ranch’s hay and grain growing activities expanded during George Lane’s and Patrick Burns’ respective period of ownership. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Implement Shed 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 Implement Shed as part of a cohesive complex of buildings reflects this development as a building that was used to store farm machinery acquired progressively as the ranch’s hay and grain growing activities expanded. Each addition to the shed underscored the ranch’s development and the increased mechanization of ranching processes.

Architectural Value
The Implement Shed is a very good example of a simple, function-oriented design, which has a strong aesthetic impact due to its scale, massing and patina. Its additive evolutionary form, the result of three separate building campaigns, is illustrative of the manner in which the focus and needs of the ranch changed over time, and how these changes affected the building stock. The Implement Shed’s massing visually reveals the gradual expansion and the development of its utilitarian functions as an agricultural building.

Environmental Value
The Implement Shed as part of a cohesive complex of buildings arranged to great functional effect reinforces the present visual character of the Bar U Ranch and is also a 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. It’s barn red walls and white trim reflect a tradition across the Prairies and visually links it to the other buildings on the site.

Sources: Edward Mills, Historic Bar U Ranch Headquarters, Longview, Alberta, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Building Report 92-017; Implement Shed (Building 18), Bar U Ranch, Longview, Alberta, Heritage Character Statement 92-017.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Implement Shed should be respected.

Its very good simple function-driven design, form, exterior finish and utilitarian nature of its materials and construction as manifested in: its massing visually revealing its gradual expansion and the development of its utilitarian functions; its light-frame construction of milled lumber; its sheathed vertical boards, with the joints covered with battens in some areas; its tall gable-roofed mid-section; its long shed with a hipped roof joined to the west wall of the original middle portion of the building; the evolutionary nature of the building, as reflected in differences in patina and materials; its colour scheme linking it to the other buildings on site.

The manner in which the Implement Shed 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 Implement Shed at the Bar U Ranch was constructed in three stages: the original structure before 1910, the second section adjoining the east wall by 1916 and the third section which abuts the west side after 1950. It is relatively unchanged since its last phase of construction, and still serves as a storage facility. The Implement Shed 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 Implement Shed, as a component of the Bar U Ranch complex, was designated "Classified" because of the historical associations of this building and 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. As part of the Bar U complex, the Implement Shed contributes to and reflects this development as a building that was used to store farm machinery acquired progressively as the ranch's hay and grain growing activities expanded during George Lane's and Patrick Burns' respective periods of ownership. Each addition to the shed underscored the ranch's development and the increased mechanization of ranching processes.

As part of a cohesive complex of buildings arranged to great functional effect in a simple and beautiful natural setting, the Implement Shed contributes significantly to the character of the Bar U Ranch. Located in a flat, grassy area against the southern wall of the valley within the community centre, the Implement Shed sits directly behind two log barns built during the ranch's first development phase. 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.

A major building on the site, the Implement Shed is the product of a simple, function-oriented design and yet has a strong aesthetic impact due to its scale, massing and patina. Its additive, evolutionary form, the result of three separate building campaigns, is illustrative of the manner in which the focus and needs of the ranch changed over time, and how these changes affected the building stock.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Implement Shed resides in the utilitarian nature of its materials and construction, its design, its massing and form, its exterior finishes and patina, and its setting.

The Implement Shed's massing visually reveals its gradual expansion and the development of its utilitarian functions. It consists of the following component parts: a tall, gable-roofed mid-section, built to accommodate a large farm machine such as a steam traction engine or a threshing machine; a second section attached to the east wall of the first section, typical of sheds for farm machinery of that period; and the last addition, a long shed with a hipped roof joined to the west wall of the original middle portion of the building, believed to have been added after 1950. The overall form of the building has not been altered since the last addition. The evolutionary nature of the building, as reflected in differences in patina, materials and details, should be respected in any intervention.

Constructed of milled lumber using light frame construction, the first two sections of the Implement Shed are sheathed with vertical boards, with the joints covered with battens in some areas. The Implement Shed's colour scheme (barn red walls and white trim) reflects a tradition across the Prairies and visually links it to the other buildings on the site. All of these features contribute to the building's heritage character and should be protected in any future modifications or maintenance work.

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 related to the movement of farm machinery and other motorized vehicles. The relationship of the Implement Shed to the early log barns is important to the building's heritage character and should be protected.