Other Name(s)
Bryant Creek Warden Cabin
Chalet des gardes de parc de Bryant Creek
Links and documents
Construction Date(s)
1945/01/01
Listed on the Canadian Register:
2008/09/03
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
Backing onto Mount Merger and facing up the open valley in the Banff National Park of Canada, the Bryant Creek Warden Cabin is a gable-roofed, one-room log structure. The off-centered main entrance door is tucked away under the gabled porch roof. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
The Bryant Creek Warden Cabin is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.
Historical Value
The Bryant Creek Warden Cabin is a useful example of the transportation and communications network within park boundaries. The cabin is one of a network of cabins built to house wardens patrolling the park on horseback in the summer or on snowshoes or skis in winter. It was situated to minimize the travel time to other cabins.
Architectural Value
The Bryant Creek Warden Cabin is a very good example of utilitarian design that is rustic in character, with picturesque qualities. Its value also resides in its simple design quality craftsmanship and the textures of its locally gathered materials. Eclectic wood carvings by Warden Jack Romanson add a unique folk art character to the building and site.
Environmental Value
Set in a sub-alpine meadow, the Bryant Creek Warden Cabin backs onto Mount Mercer and faces up the open valley to the Allenby Pass. It is a backcountry landmark for travelers en route to Mount Assiniboine. The historic relationship of the cabin to its surrounding landscape has remained unchanged and the cabin is compatible with the present character of its mountain park setting.
Source: Bryant Creek Warden Cabin, Banff National Park, Banff, Alberta, Heritage Character Statement, 93-107.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of the Bryant Creek Warden Cabin should be respected.
Its utilitarian design with rustic character, quality craftsmanship and materials such as:
-its simple massing of a gable-roofed cabin with a sheltered porch constituting the front third of the structure;
-its use of wood construction with round logs laid horizontally and rough rubble-stone walls;
-its three log, tie-beam support system evident in the front porch;
-its multi-pane horizontal sliding wood windows, wooden shutters, doors and interior board finishes;
-its paint scheme of dark brown and white and the green-tinted wood shingle roof, which is a traditional feature of warden cabins.
The manner in which the Bryant Creek Warden Cabin is compatible with the present character of its mountain park setting in Banff National Park of Canada.
Recognition
Jurisdiction
Federal
Recognition Authority
Government of Canada
Recognition Statute
Treasury Board Heritage Buildings Policy
Recognition Type
Recognized Federal Heritage Building
Recognition Date
1994/07/15
Historical Information
Significant Date(s)
n/a
Theme - Category and Type
Function - Category and Type
Current
Historic
- Residence
- Single Dwelling
Architect / Designer
n/a
Builder
n/a
Additional Information
Location of Supporting Documentation
National Historic Sites Directorate, Documentation Centre, 5th Floor, Room 89, 25 Eddy Street, Gatineau, Quebec
Cross-Reference to Collection
Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier
6413
Status
Published
Related Places
n/a