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Clark Residence
High River
Other Names:
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Charles Clark House
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Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
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.
Heritage Value
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)
Character-Defining Elements
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.
Location
| Street Address: |
725 Macleod Trail |
| Community: |
High River |
| Boundaries: |
Lots 21 to 24, Block 3, Plan 2502R |
| Contributing Resources: |
Buildings: 1
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ATS Legal Description:
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Mer |
Rge |
Twp |
Sec |
LSD |
4
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29
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19
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1
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8 (ptn.)
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PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):
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Plan |
Block |
Lot |
Parcel |
2502 R
2502 R
2502 R
2502 R
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3
3
3
3
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24
23
22
21 (ptn.)
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Latitude/Longitude:
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Latitude |
Longitude |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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50.576412 |
-113.883125 |
GPS |
NAD 83 |
UTM Reference:
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Northing |
Easting |
Zone |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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Recognition
| Recognition Authority: |
Province of Alberta |
| Designation Status: |
Provincial Historic Resource |
| Date of Designation: |
1994/12/19 |
Historical Information
| Built: |
1909 to 1909 |
| Period of Significance: |
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| Theme(s): |
Governing Canada : Politics and Political Processes
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| Historic Function(s): |
Residence : Single Dwelling
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| Current Function(s): |
Residence : Single Dwelling
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| Architect: |
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| Builder: |
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| Context: |
HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
The Clark residence constructed in circa 1910, is based on the four-square designs common in Alberta around the turn of the century. Its historical significance resides in association with the Clark family. In 1904, Charles Clark Sr. founded the High River Times, a superior and innovative local newspaper. Historically, it was influential and its editorial policies and quality of editorials themselves won the paper many provincial and national awards. Charles Clark Jr. had an equal reputation as a newspaperman. Charles Clark Jr.'s son, Joseph Clark, was elected Member of Parliament for Rocky Mountain House in 1972. In 1976, he was selected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and served as Prime Minister of Canada in 1979 and 1980.
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Additional Information
| Object Number: |
4665-0493 |
| Designation File: |
DES 1844 |
| Related Listing(s): |
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| Heritage Survey File: |
HS 31372
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| Website Link: |
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| Data Source: |
Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch, Old St. Stephen's College, 8820 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P8 (File: Des. 1844) |
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