Description of Historic Place

The Vehicle Garage is a small one-storey building with a simple rectangular form and a gabled roof covered in cedar shingles. The exterior walls are covered with beveled siding. The colour scheme of barn red walls and white trim follows the Prairie tradition. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Vehicle Garage is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values:

Historical value:
This building is one of the best examples of the national theme of ranching in Alberta, and its importance in the development of Canada. The building is a component of the Bar U Ranch. The Vehicle 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 recognised as the kingpin of the meat processing industry in western Canada during the mid-1920s, has been designated a person of national significance.

Architectural value:
This agricultural building is a very good example of agricultural storage practices at the Bar U and in the region. Its value lies in its functional design and form, simple massing, common construction details, exterior finish, interior layout and setting. It has a character of simplicity and functionality.

Environmental value:
The Vehicle Garage is part of a cohesive complex of buildings arranged to great functional effect in an exceptional site and beautiful, ranch setting. The building is a subsidiary site feature which contributes to the character of the Bar U Ranch.

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

Vehicle Garage (Building 24), Bar U Ranch, Longview, Alberta. Heritage Character
Statement 92-017

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Vehicle Garage should be respected, for example:

Its agricultural building type and good quality materials and craftsmanship as manifested in:
- the light timber structural system.
- the gabled roof clad with shingles.
- the small four pane, and sash windows.
- the two doors
- the exterior cladding.
- the red and white colour scheme.

The manner in which the building reinforces the character and setting of the Bar U Ranch.