CLARK RESIDENCE, THE

The Clark Residence is an early twentieth century, one and one-half storey, wood frame, brick-clad, house located on four lots along Macleod Trail in the Town of High River. A wrap-around porch adorns the front and side of the house, while a large manicured lawn lies to the east of the house.

The heritage value of the Clark Residence lies chiefly in its association with three generations of the Clark family. Additional significance may be found in the house's representation of middle-class domestic life in small town Alberta during the early to mid-twentieth century.

The Clark Residence was built in 1909 by newspaperman Charles Clark Sr., founding publisher of the highly esteemed local newspaper, the High River Times. Built soon after his marriage, the house became home to three generations of the Clark family. His son, Charles Clark Jr., solidified the reputation of High River Times as a serious, albeit small, Canadian newspaper. Most importantly, the house was the boyhood home of Charles Joseph ("Joe") Clark, who served as the sixteenth Prime Minister of Canada from 1979 to 1980.

Architecturally and aesthetically, the house typifies the eclectic style and comfort sought after by increasingly prosperous middle-class families in twentieth century Alberta.

Source: Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch (File: Des. 1844)

The character-defining elements of the Clark Residence include such features as:

- size, form, and massing;

- hipped roof with shed dormers;

- extant timber window frames and sashes;

- double-hung one-over-one windows on the first floor;

- location on its original site;

- the wrap-around porch and porch columns;

- belvedere-type roof element with windows to the rear of the house;

- the interior layout and room configuration;

- interior elements including original woodwork, mouldings, and trim.