Description of Historic Place
Building 3 is one of three structures that comprise what is commonly known as the Banff National Park of Canada East Gate Registration Buildings. Situated on the west side of the centre building, it is a small, rectangular, one-and-a-half storey structure built of split fieldstone in the Rustic style with Tudor Revival details. The gabled roof is clad in cedar shingles. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
Building 3 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values:
Historical value
Building 3 at Banff National Park of Canada is a very good example of the development of Canada’s National Park system and early Canadian tourism. It is also associated with the emerging ideals of protecting and enhancing designated wilderness areas for the pleasure and benefit of the Canadian people. It also symbolizes the increasing importance of the motorcar within the national parks of the 1930s. Construction of the East Gate Registration Buildings was enabled by the 1934 Public Works Construction Act, which set aside large funds for projects within the national parks.
Architectural value
Building 3 is a very good example of the Rustic style with Tudor Revival details, which was favoured within the National Parks program. The informal style was perceived as harmonious with a mountain setting. Reflecting the rustic, picturesque aesthetic consistent with Park’s tradition, local building materials were used. Building 3 is constructed from rock quarried within the park. It is a good functional structure built to reflect its picturesque setting.
Environmental value
Situated on the eastern boundary of the park, the East Gate Registration Buildings announce the park in large wooden letters. Reinforcing the present character of the park, the East Gate is a familiar and symbolic man-made landmark. The gable end of the front porch frames the word “Register”. Building 3 served as the registration building and originally provided washrooms for visitors. Emphasizing natural building materials and the picturesque landscape, the East Gate Registration Buildings are constructed to be compatible with their environment.
Sources: East Gate, Banff National Park, Banff, Alberta. Heritage Character Statement 84-055; East Gate, Banff National Park, Banff, Alberta, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 84-055.
Character-Defining Elements
The following character-defining elements of Building 3 should be respected.
Its Rustic style with Tudor Revival details and very good quality materials and craftsmanship as manifested in:
- the simple low massing of the one-and-a-half-storey structure;
- the rectangular plan, and gabled roof, with one stone chimney and the cedar-shingles laid in staggered lines to give a random roof pattern;
- the half-timbering featured on the upper half of the building and the use of locally quarried split fieldstone in irregular courses for the exterior walls.
The manner in which the East Gate Registration Buildings, including Building 3, reinforce the picturesque character of their mountain park setting of Banff National Park of Canada and through their prominent location are an important local landmark.
