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 Alberta, Canada. It is a National Historic Site. This means it is protected because of its important history. The ranch is located near Longview, Alberta.
For 70 years, the Bar U Ranch was one of the biggest and best ranches in Canada. At its largest, it covered a huge area. It had about 30,000 cattle and 1,000 Percheron horses. These horses are a large, strong breed. Some of the ranch owners even helped start the famous Calgary Stampede. They were part of a group called the Big Four.
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History of the Bar U Ranch
The Bar U Ranch has a long and interesting past. It changed hands several times. Each owner added to its story.
Early Days and Fred Stimson
The ranch began in 1881. It was founded by Fred Stimson. His company was called the North West Cattle Company. They raised cattle on a vast open area. This was between 1881 and 1902. Stimson used the "Bar U" brand for his cattle. A brand is a mark put on cattle to show who owns them.
George Lane's Time
From 1902 to 1925, George Lane ran the Bar U. He had business partners. Lane was involved in many businesses. These included meat packing and other farms. He bought out his partners in 1908. Lane then renamed the ranch the Bar U Ranch. He raised both cattle and Percheron horses there.
Patrick Burns and Growth
Between 1927 and 1950, the Bar U was part of an even larger group of ranches. These were owned by Patrick Burns. His ranches covered about 700,000 acres. Burns also grew grains on the Bar U Ranch. During this time, it remained one of the largest ranches in Canada.
Becoming a Historic Site
After 1950, much of the ranch land was sold. The part that is now a National Historic Site is the original central area. Parks Canada bought this property in 1991. They opened it to the public in 1995. Today, you can visit the site. People dressed in old-fashioned clothes act as historical interpreters. They show visitors what ranch life was like. The site is open daily from mid-May to the end of September each year.
Famous People at the Ranch
Many interesting people were connected to the Bar U Ranch.
The Sundance Kid
In 1891, a horse breaker named Harry Longabaugh worked at the Bar U. He later became a famous Wild West figure. He was known as "the Sundance Kid".
Royal Visitor
In 1919, Edward, Prince of Wales visited the Bar U. He loved it so much that he bought a ranch nearby. He named his ranch the E.P. Ranch. Edward later became King Edward VIII.
Inspiring Stories
Charles M. Russell was a famous artist. He painted many pictures while at the Bar U. A cowboy from the ranch, Everett Johnson, might have inspired a famous book. This book was called The Virginian. It later became a television show.
