John Ware named “person of national historic significance”
John Ware’s contributions to the Canadian West are as numerous as they are significant. Now, the federal government recognizes the pioneering Black cowboy as a person of national historic significance. John Ware was a skilled and highly respected cowboy and rancher who called Alberta home for the second half of his life. Born an enslaved Black man in the United States in 1845, Ware came to Canada after gaining his freedom towards the end of the American Civil War in 1865. Arriving in the early 1880s with the North West Cattle Company, Ware helped to drive thousands of cattle to what is now known as Bar-U Ranch, a national historic site, in southern Alberta. While at Bar-U Ranch, he helped erect the Saddle Horse Barn, which still stands on the site. Ware worked at the Bar-U until 1884 and then took on a ranch of his own, becoming successful in the face of anti-Black racism and the tough conditions that came along with ranching in the 1880s. Ware passed away in 1905 and had his funeral in Calgary, which was well attended by many members of the ranching community from across the southern Alberta region. Ware’s connection to Heritage Park comes from the Mackay Cabin, a pioneer log cabin, built in 1884 or 1885. Ware’s in-laws are believed to have rented the cabin at one point and Ware’s first child Nettie (Janet) may have been born in the cabin in 1893. You can learn more about John Ware in the National Film Board documentary John Ware Reclaimed directed by local filmmaker, author and playwright, Cheryl Foggo.Photo credit
“John Ware and team of horses at Red Deer river, Alberta.”, [ca. 1901], (CU1107895) by Unknown. Courtesy of Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.
“John Ware, rancher.”, [ca. 1902-1903], (CU174691) by Steele and Company. Courtesy of Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.