Description of Historic Place

Tarry-a-while is a one and one-half storey wood framed residence situated on three well-treed lots on a corner location in a residential area in Banff, Alberta.

Heritage Value

The historical value of Tarry-a-while lies in its direct association with Mary Schaffer Warren, who is well-known for her early explorations, writings and paintings chronicling the Canadian Rockies, and William (Billy) Warren, who was a prominent outfitter and Banff businessman. It was built, in 1912-1913, as the residence of Mary Schaffer Warren who lived there until her death in 1939.

With its steeply pitched hipped roof, shed dormers, cedar shingle siding and cottage-style windows, Tarry-a-while is architecturally significant as an exceptional example of the rustic, cottage character of traditional residential architecture in Banff.

Source: Town of Banff Municipal Historic Resource Designation File 03HD02 and Town of Banff Registry of Recognized Heritage Resources File 117 Grizzly Street

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Tarry-a-while include:
- the form, scale and massing of the residence;
- the position, number, size and arrangement of shed dormers and red brick chimneys on the steeply pitched hipped roof;
- the window and door fenestration including the position, number, size and arrangement of the cottage style windows;
- the exterior cedar shingle siding;
- the setting of the structure on the large, well-treed corner lot;
- the rustic building identification sign "Tarry-a-while" under the eave on the east facade.