Grey Owl’s Cabin (B21)

Grey Owl’s Cabin, also known as Building 21, is situated on a small lake in Riding Mountain National Park of Canada. It is an L-shaped log building with a sheltered porch area. Peeled logs, wood shingles, exposed rafter tails and simple door and window trim give the cabin a simple rustic charm. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Grey Owl’s Cabin is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value

Grey Owl’s Cabin is associated with the naturalist Grey Owl, who was hired to re-establish a beaver population in Riding Mountain National Park of Canada. Grey Owl transferred to Prince Albert National Park of Canada after just six months at Riding Mountain National Park of Canada. Despite this short term, his personal popularity as well as the causes he espoused has made his cabin a popular hiking destination and a significant interpretive resource in the park.

Architectural Value

Grey Owl’s Cabin is a good example of a functional log cabin. The two-room plan was designed to accommodate the park naturalist, and featured access doors for the wildlife he domesticated. The cabin’s high quality construction with natural peeled logs and wood shingles give it its rustic appearance.

Environmental Value

The natural site for Grey Owl’s Cabin has remained unchanged. The cabin benefits from its beautiful natural setting on Beaver Lodge Lake, and as such is a popular hiking destination for travelers and a familiar landmark.

Sources:

Edward Mills, Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report, 85-054; Grey Owl’s Cabin, Beaver Lodge Lake, Riding Mountain National Park, Heritage Character Statement, 85-054.

The character-defining elements of Grey Owl’s Cabin should be respected.

Its functional design and quality craftsmanship, for example:

- the L-shaped two-room cabin;

- the roof that extends several feet beyond the wall to provide a sheltered porch area;

- the peeled logs, wood shingles, exposed rafter tails and simple door and window trim that create a simple, rustic character;

- the features related to the period of occupation by Grey Owl, such as the beaver access doors in the main section.

The manner in which the building maintains an unchanged historical relationship to its site, is compatible to its natural setting and is a familiar landmark as evidenced by:

- the building’s ongoing relationship to its natural landscape and Beaver Lodge Lake;

- the building’s log construction and rustic character that is compatible with its natural setting;

- the building’s role as a significant interpretive resource in the park and its popularity due to its association with the naturalist Grey Owl.