Bar U Ranch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bar U Ranch |
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| Location | Longview, Alberta, Alberta, Canada |
| Nearest city | Foothills No. 31, Alberta |
| Area | 148.43 ha, 367 acres |
| Established | 1881 |
| Founded | Fred Stimson, George Lane, Patrick Burns |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
| Website | Parks Canada page |
| Designated | 1991 |
The Bar U Ranch is a special place in Canada's history. It is a preserved ranch located near Longview, Alberta. For 70 years, it was one of the most important ranching places in the country.
At its biggest, the ranch covered a huge area of about 160,000 acres (65,000 ha). It was home to 30,000 cattle and 1,000 large Percheron horses. Two of its owners helped start the famous Calgary Stampede. They were part of a group known as the Big Four, who were very important in Calgary's early days.
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The Ranch's Beginning
The Bar U Ranch was started by Fred Stimson in 1881. His company, the North West Cattle Company, raised cattle on a vast open area of land. This land was about 147,000 acres (59,000 ha) in size.
Stimson used the Bar U symbol as his cattle brand. A cattle brand is a special mark burned onto an animal's hide. It shows who owns the animal.
George Lane Takes Over
From 1902 to 1925, George Lane and his partners ran the Bar U. Lane was a very successful businessman. He bought out his partners in 1908 and officially named it the Bar U Ranch.
George Lane raised both cattle and Percheron horses. These horses are known for being very strong and good for farm work.
Patrick Burns and the Ranch
Between 1927 and 1950, the Bar U became part of an even larger group of ranches. These ranches were owned by Patrick Burns. Together, they covered an amazing 700,000 acres.
Burns also grew grains on the ranch. During this time, the Bar U remained one of the biggest ranches in Canada.
Becoming a Historic Site
After 1950, much of the ranch land was sold off. The part that is now a National Historic Site is the main, central area. Parks Canada bought this property in 1991.
They opened it to the public in 1995. Today, you can visit the Bar U Ranch to learn about its history.
Famous Visitors and People
Many interesting people have been connected to the Bar U Ranch:
- In 1891, a horse trainer named Harry Longabaugh worked at the ranch. He later became known as "the Sundance Kid".
- Edward, Prince of Wales visited the Bar U in 1919. He liked it so much that he bought a nearby ranch. He named his new ranch the EP.
- The famous artist Charles M. Russell painted several pictures while at the Bar U.
- A ranch cowboy named Everett Johnson was reportedly studied for the main character in the novel The Virginian. This book later became a television show.
