KERR, George C. (1845- c. 1910) was recorded as an architect and builder who was living and working in Medicine Hat, Alberta from 1900 until 1910. In 1901 he placed an advertisement in local newspapers there describing his “thirty years experience” (Medicine Hat News, 18 July 1901, 2, advert.). He was born in Ontario in 1845, and presumably obtained his training and knowledge there from 1870 onward. His largest work in Alberta was the substantial rural mansion at the Sarnia Ranch, Walsh, Alberta, built in 1902 for Joseph A. Grant. This 22-room brick residence was called “Glenvale. When first proposed in 1902, it was described as a property which “...will be the finest ranch home in this country”. This building was later demolished c. 1940, but a high quality exterior photograph of this 3 storey landmark has survived, and is now held at the Glenbow Museum, Calgary (Acc. No. NA 2003-64). In 1904 Kerr was credited as the architect for the new brick public school at Medicine Hat, and he continued to be listed as architect in that town until 1909. No information on his activity has been found after this date.
WALSH, ALTA., “ Glenvale”, a country mansion for Joseph A. Grant, on the Sarnia Ranch, 1902-03; demol. c. 1940 (Medicine Hat News, 7 Aug. 1902, 5, descrip.)
MEDICINE HAT, ALTA., residence for D. McLean, River Street, 1903 (Medicine Hat News, 10 Sept. 1903, 10)
MEDICINE HAT, ALTA., public school, 1904 (Daily Herald [Calgary], 23 May 1904, 5, t.c.)