Being on holidays and with the beautiful weather we’ve had, I had to get out and get some of my must see buildings off my to-do list. I thought I’d venture out to the abandonded town of Snowflake, Manitoba.
As I got closer and closer, it got foggier and foggier and I one point, or two, I contemplated turning around. When I realized it was further than I thought and there was about 16 kms of gravel to travel, I thought about it again.
I pushed through and while I’m not happy with the photos, its done. There really is nothing left in the town even though I’m sure there are 3 families living within the town, two just on the outskirts.
There was even a lit , neon open sign in an old shop in a business close to this one.
When the railway line into Snowflake was abandoned, the writing was on the wall for this small town in south-central Manitoba.
Border Branch No. 207 of the Royal Canadian Legion, originally founded at Snowflake in 1947, surrendered its charter in 1986 and its war memorial, built in 1961, was moved to La Riviere in 2006.
The Snowflake School was closed in 1992 and while I didn’t see it on my drive through the town, I did find this.
The United Church closed in 1994. Snowflake’s unmaintained roads and buildings bear testament to the gradual decline of this once-thriving farming community.
What I gather was once a busy town, enterwined with town folks and farms just along its outskirts, there was no evidence of anyone there today.
One home I drove by looked new and another, which I initially thought was also abandonded, was not.
This barn was the first building I came across as I entered the town off the highway. The main road was snow covered and shale covered.
A fellow abandonded photographer advised me to be sure I drove a little further, so that I didn’t miss the beauitful old mansion.
As I did not have permission to enter any of these properties, today’s trip was all road side photography.
Maybe most exciting for the town at the time was that this is the home town of NHL’er, Justin Falk. Drafted 110th overall in 2007, he was born October 11, 1988. I’m sure the sign on the highway once proudly displayed his name. It is faded and unreadable now.
CRUMBLING MEMORIES 
Good Afternoon,
I just did a search for Snowflake, Manitoba and found this article. My home was moved from a farm just outside of Snowflake about 20 years ago. I feel like I am preserving a bit of Manitoba history.
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OH that is cool. Why did you choose a house from there?
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OH wow did it ever change in that time. It is something to see. And peaceful. I did not go out to the granery. Maybe I should have. Glen has a great blog. Thank you for sharing.
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Where or what other town is Snowflake close to or located?
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I don’t recall. I am not really familiar with the area and made the drive just to see this little town.
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Do you still live in the house? I would say you have preserved history.
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Hi Sandy,
My apologies for not responding to your previous message.
A friend saw the house advertised in a rural newspaper when we were planning a move to the country. We loved the character of the house so we purchased it.
My kids have grown up and moved but I still live in the house.
Luisa
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Luisa. My family came from Snowflake. I am a Drew and are related to the Hicks and Mckenzies from Snowflake. I have an old postal scale from the post office in snowflake and wondering if there is a museum in snowflake to give it to. Regards Bob Drew. darord@icloud .com
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There is really nothing down there anymore except a border crossing. I wonder if you might have some luck if you contact the Manitoba Historical Society.
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Hello Bob,
As far as I know, there is nothing left in Snowflake. You could try Crystal City which is nearby.
My house was built by the Headrick family. I purchased it from David Hedrick.
Luisa
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There is a museum in nearby Star Mound, an old one-room school. You can find Star Mound on Facebook.
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That is so cool.
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Brings back a lot of memories as during the polio years I was sent to Canada to my grandfather’s farm in Snowflake. The last time I was there for a funeral, the town I knew had evaporated. My aunt was the postmaster of Snowflake, and every Christmas would get bags of mail to stamped with the Snowflake post mark. The only building that was rather new and well kept up was a curling rink.
I have lots of memories of the place, I think that’s enough for now. AJ Greenshields
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That is a pretty cool connection. I wish I had driven around a bit more but I was by myself and it was getting late. Have you been back recently? Its kind of off the beaten path.
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My father, Frederick V L’Allier, was born in Snowflake in 1905. He was the youngest of 6 and his mother Anna & grandmother moved the family to Pilot Mound around 1907, I believe.
Thanks for your post & photographs.
Terri Lalier(Americanized spelling)
talalier@msn.com
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Hi Terri! Nice to hear from you. Do you know if your Dad’s house is still standing? Have you been to Snowflake lately? I went kinda late in the day and it was starting to get dark so I wasn’t there very long. It appears to have been a nice little town.
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Hi Sandy,
The history I have about my father’s family is from cousins now deceased. I have never been to Snowflake, but from what I have learned, my father’s father, Ferrier, moved his family from farm to farm during harvest season. I don’t think they were there for very long. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Terri Lalier
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