Historic Structures Report: Bar B-C Dude Ranch

Graham, Roy; AIA and Associates

The preparation of an historic structures report is the first step in a disciplined approach to the care of an historic building. Over the course of the past two years, The National Park Service has had a contracted team of architects, architectural historians, archival researchers, building conservators, structural engineers, materials analysts, landscape architects, and archeologists engaged in producing this report on the Bar B-C properties. Although the National Park Service had taken previous steps to document the ranch, notably in the research work of John Daugherty, former park historian, had begun to secure the area, and provide bracing for some of the roofs, the Agency has not yet had enough staffing and funding for the stabilization and treatment that are necessary to provide stewardship for the maintenance, renewal, and restoration of this historic ranch. Although neglected during the last period of private ownership and minimally maintained because of the lack of funding during the period of the National Park Service ownership, the ranch itself if about 65-75% intact and represents most of the buildings which existed during the first 25 years of its occupancy. Some structures dating to the later periods of the ranch have been removed; however, all but one of the original Dude Cabins, the Main Cabin, and other important buildings such as the Dance Cabin and the Ranch Store are still standing. With a little repair, the later Cabin built by the Corses is intact enough to be inhabited. Land uses and activities have introduced few changes to the landscape, especially the natural landscape characteristics and they reflect a high degree of integrity. Although many landscape small-scale elements have deteriorated, historic photographs and sufficient remnants provide documentation for preservation and restoration. None of the endeavors represented in this Historic Structures Report should be regarded as definitive; rather they are the initial phase of an ongoing process. As more of the building fabric is exposed during renewal and restoration work, there will be unique opportunities to obtain further data. Additional findings also should be noted by measurements, drawings, photographs, and written descriptions to augment what has already been recorded. A final chapter will be the restoration treatment itself.

Historic Structures Report: Bar B-C Dude Ranch

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