Turner Valley's Historic Gas Plant

and Bar U Ranch

Friday - July 17


MAXIMUM 18 ATTENDEES


PRICE:  $220

Start Time:  8:00 am

Return Time: 6:00 pm

Information & Itinerary

On this tour you will explore the Turner Valley Gas Plant in the morning, and then enjoy lunch at the historic Black Diamond Hotel built in 1929 in response to the population boom caused by the discovery of oil and gas.


For the afternoon, a short scenic drive further south you will arrive at the Bar U Ranch founded in 1882 as the North West Cattle Company which became one of Canada's largest corporate ranches.


The Turner Valley Gas Plant, was the birthplace of Alberta’s oil and gas sector and the first petroleum processing facility west of Ontario.

You will see historic industrial buildings with original machinery from the 1930s to 1950s, and learn about Alberta’s oil boom.


At its peak during the Second World War, the Turner Valley oil field produced more than 95% of Canada's oil and was the post productive oilfield in the British Empire.


Turner Valley Gas Plant Links:






At Bar U Ranch, visitors will see a working cattle ranch with a visitor centre. It also features the largest collection of historic ranch buildings in Canada with the rolling foothills of the Rockies in the background. 



You can explore the 35 historic structures, including the cookhouse and barns. You will learn about ranching life from costumed interpreters, see Percheron draft horses and take a wagon ride.


Additional Details

Photo Types:

  • Landscape
  • Urban

Travel Mode:

  • Coach

Ground:

  • Some Uneven

Snacks & Water:

  • Supplied

Meals:

  • No

Sample Images from Excursion Locations:

  • Old industrial building with pipes and weathered metal exterior against a cloudy sky.

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  • Rusty industrial processing plant with multiple vertical columns in a field.

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  • Two large spherical storage tanks under a stormy sky, in a field of brown grass.

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  • Two large, round industrial storage tanks with external staircases and top platforms.

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  • Rusty industrial pipes and valves in a factory setting.

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  • Old, rusted industrial electrical equipment in a dimly lit, possibly abandoned space.

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  • Close-up of old industrial machinery, covered in grime and oil.

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  • Man in work clothes and cap, smiling, leans on pipes with large valve in industrial setting.

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  • Grayscale view of old, broken windows in an industrial building; chain hangs over them.

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  • Black and white shot of an abandoned industrial interior, machinery and pipes overgrown with rust.

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  • Red wooden sheds with open doors sit on a grassy area, trees in the background, cloudy sky.

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  • Horse-drawn wagon with people waving, near a red building and green grass.

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  • Two black horses pulling a wagon with passengers; on a dirt road by a fence and trees.

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  • Cowboy in a stable, wearing a hat, blue shirt, jeans, holding a rope, leans against wooden posts.

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  • Old wooden wagon with barrel and white canvas cover.

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  • Black boots, white chamber pot with lid sit on weathered wooden floor beneath a bed.

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  • Green vintage Chevrolet truck's front with chrome grill and bumper, set on green grass.

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Photo Excursion Leaders

Man in blue jacket adjusts gloves outdoors, snow-covered rocks in the background. Camera around his neck.

Ken Wright

Main Leader

Ken Wright is a mirrorless, camera photographer, who specializes in nature photography. His work is driven by a desire to capture photos accurately and realistically. During the field trip we look forward to showing you Alberta’s historical Turner Valley Gas Plant and Bar U Ranch. 


Man in glasses and black jacket stands in front of trees, smiling slightly.

Alex Dunkley

Assistant

Alex Dunkley has been photographing with intent for about 6 years. He enjoys photographing anything that moves - and most things that don’t. He loves the Calgary area for the easy access to both mountain and prairie vistas, and the wildlife opportunities. 


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Keith Walker

Assistant

Keith Walker is a professional aerial photographer who also has 50 years of experience creating fine art photographs and artworks that are sold worldwide. Though Keith has photographed in many places, he finds that the badlands and prairies offer a smorgasbord of unique world class photographic opportunities.