LONGVIEW, Alta. – One of this country’s oldest ranches opened its gates to the public July 30 to share a day of Canadian heritage.
Declared a national historic site in 1993, the Bar U has been restored and is operated by Parks Canada and a volunteer committee.
It will continue as a working ranch and is open to the public year round. An interpretative centre commemorating ranching history in southern Alberta has been built on the original ranch site. Most of the buildings were built near the turn of the century.
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On opening day more than 1,000 people shared the ranching heritage with a costume contest and a wagon parade. Ranchers were also able to place their brands on special fence boards that will go on permanent display at the Bar U.
The Bar U was founded in 1882 by cattle baron Fred Stimson and until 1950 was the largest ranch in Canada. It was later owned by George Lane, who ran it from 1902 to 1927. Many of Lane’s descendants attended the opening day. The ranch has also been owned by Pat Burns who founded the Burns Meat Co.
