During this period, the NMWP rented the house and barn. He had hoped to homestead the area, but eventually lost control of the buildings as a result of a legal suit.įrom 1886 until 1903 the North West Mounted Police took advantage of the important location of the Leavings by manning an outpost from the site, sending patrols north and west through the Porcupine Hills. At this point the ranch headquarters moved to a new location and Craig continued to operate the post office and stopping house. In a dispute with ranch financiers, Craig left the ranch in 1886, but retained ownership of the property. There are many etchings on the interior sandstone, including two inscriptions of '1884' and numerous others that resemble cattle brands and other dates. The floor of the stable is made of vertical posts, which gives it a cobblestone effect. The barn's first storey is constructed of sandstone, with the upper storey and loft being of logs and vertical planks. The barn is constructed into a hillside and has a connecting stable. It also became a centre for social activities and, in 1884, a post office. The house was used as a dwelling by Craig and his family, as well as a stopping house and as the ranch's managerial office. The house is covered with siding with the exception of the back portion, which may be the original Kountz cabin. By 1885, it appears that the location of the ranch headquarters had moved to this site and Craig had built the larger log house and the barn. The cabin was then used as the ranch's headquarters. In 1882, the New Oxley Ranch secured a lease for 200,000 acres from the Dominion Government, making it one of the four largest ranches in the foothills region. Visible ruts on the hills overlooking the creek are likely remnants of the original wagon trail. Kountz's cabin was likely located to the south of the present site location, but it is possible that the building was moved and forms part of the house on this site. Sometime in the later half of the 1870s, a stopping house, operated by a former buffalo hunter and whiskey trader, Henry Kountz, began operating.

The Leavings was one of four spots between Fort Macleod and Calgary frequently chosen as a camping ground. After Fort Calgary was established in 1875 there were regular supply ('bull') trains and stagecoaches from Fort Benton in Montana to Fort Macleod and on to Calgary. The term 'Leavings' indicated a place where a trail 'left' a water supply, where travelers could obtain supplies of water and wood. The site thus provides rare structural evidence of initiatives by the Canadian government to secure the West from American encroachment after Confederation: the granting of large-scale ranch leases to British-Canadian investors, and the creation of a federal police force. In addition, the Leavings is significant for its association with the Fort Macleod-Calgary Trail, the major north-south thoroughfare prior to the Calgary and Edmonton Railway in 1892, and with the establishment of law and order in the region through the North West Mounted Police (NWMP). The heritage value of the Leavings (Oxley Ranch) lies in its representation of early ranching activity in southern Alberta. The site occupies 30.1 hectares near Claresholm, Alberta. The Leavings at Willow Creek site consists of a one and one-half storey log house, log and sandstone barn, log stable, and such landscape elements as a well, plantings, and cart trails, as well as various archaeological resources. Surviving the Aftermath is available for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.Statement of Significance Description of Historic Place Next: Sphere - Flying Cities Preview: An Engaging City Building Hybrid Players can use Scouts to unlock new areas, Fighters to attack strongholds, Scavengers to gather materials, and Scientists to earn more Science Points. Recruiting and utilizing Specialists in Surviving the Aftermath leads to expansion and new advancements for the colony. Having a few of each type will optimize exploration of the World Map. Specialists are a vital part of keeping a colony alive in Surviving the Aftermath. Keeping Specialists with high scavenging rates and attack damage will help players quickly enhance their colony and keep it protected from enemy forces. Specialists with lower stats are ideal for establishing an Outpost as their stats don't affect the production rate. Both types of outposts serve to advance the colony, and Engineer Outposts are required to complete the main story. Outposts and Engineer Outposts require a Specialist to be permanently stationed at them.

Surviving the aftermath ranch