Bar U Ranch

The Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, located near Longview, Alberta is a preserved ranch that for 70 years was one of the leading ranching operations in Canada. At its peak, the ranch extended over 160,000 acres (65,000 ha) with 30,000 cattle and 1000 Percheron horses. Two of the owners were instrumental in the establishment of the Calgary Stampede.

The ranch was founded by Fred Stimson, whose North West Cattle Company kept cattle on 147,000 acres (59,000 ha) of open range between 1881 and 1902.  It changed hands a few times until 1950, after which much of the ranch land was sold. The present National Historic Site is the central remnant, owned by Parks Canada, which bought the property in 1991 and opened it to the public in 1995.

Today, the Historic Site consists of a number of displays recalling the early days of ranching in Alberta. Many original buildings remain, as well as some vintage motor vehicles and farm equipment. There are a several draft horses quartered on the ranch. Their purpose seems to be to haul visitors around the property on old wagons. The site is operated by staff in period costumes and they keep a pot of hot coffee on the fire for the benefit of the many visitors.

It’s an interesting place to photograph. I was in the area with my friend Harv Emter, scouting locations for an upcoming night shoot for the Canmore Camera Club. We spent a little over an hour there, capturing a few shots. I’ll share some of my favourites today.

The first building we encountered is called the Chop House. Originally built as a barn c. 1909, it stored feed for the Bar U livestock. Here, a mixture of grains were ground into chop to feed young cattle in the winter. The grain elevator was added during the 1940’s. Today the building houses some old wagons.

The wagons are an appealing photo subject, so I moved in a little closer for a more intimate view.

The subject of my next image is a building which was a centre of activity on the ranch. It was primarily an office and residence built about 1902 for George Lane’s bookkeeper. It also served as the Pekisko Post Office and a meeting room for the Pekisko Polo Club.

Here’s a view of the inside, looking much as it did in the early 20th century.

Another interesting building is the Stud Horse Barn. Need I explain who resided in this building?

My last and favourite exhibit at the Bar U Ranch was this trio of old trucks which presumably served as work vehicles on the farm. Judging by their appearance, I conclude they’d date back to the early 1940’s. At nearly 80 years of age, the wrinkles are beginning to show.

It’s a great place to visit, about 1-1/2 hours south of Calgary.