The world’s biggest barn at T-Horseshow Ranch at Leader, Saskatchewan, was demolished in 1921. This barn was built in 1914 by W.T.Smith about 12 miles from Leader and about 1 1/2 miles from the South Saskatchewan River. 32 cars of lumber were used. It took 100 men to build it. The cement mixers received $1.00 per day. The ranch hand received $40.00 a month. There were 2,200 head of cattle and 10,000 sheep on the ranch. Smith died in flu epidemic in 1918. The barn was pulled down in 1920 to pay the mortgage. The barn was 128×400 ft. height 60ft. The following construction materials were used: 875,000 ft lumber, 30,000 sacks of Canada Portland Cement and 60,000 ft of corrugated galvanized iron roofing. There were seven ventilators. The ranch contained 10,000 acres under irrigation and was largest alfalfa and corm farm in Saskatchewan.
My grandfather was on the building crew during that time
Can you say why they couldn’t keep the farm afloat?
My father had told me about this barn when I was young. I always questioned whether he was correct on its short life span as a barn and the reason for its demise!! He was correct.