Once a thriving small town, Froude is now the home of 3 residents. All that remains are some abandoned and crumbling buildings. Oh and some cows. I spotted the church steeple while heading to Wilcox and pulled in. There was much more to photograph but I was anxious to see Colton and plan to visit this abandoned town again. Its is reported that Froude’s population peaked in 1920-21 when 200 citizens lived in the town but the town struggled over the next few years to maintain a steady population.
Froude was named for English Historian James Anthony Froude, a historian, biographer and the editor of Fraser Magazine. His controversial style resulted in him earning a number of outspoken opponents. He was well known through the British Empire but never visited Canada or the the town which was named after him. Established in 1908, Froude once a had a booming economy and a variety of businesses including the Canadian Pacific Railway, two grain elevators, two telephone companies, a bank, general store, a blacksmith and the church.
When I pulled into the town I wasn’t expecting to find more than the church. I was sure this was an old house but now I think it first served as the Froude Trading Post and later the post office.
Aside from the cows, all that remains is the long grass of unkempt yards and old, collapsing buildings, a couple old vehicles and this church.
It keeps a vigil over the few residents, and the old homes and buildings that house the memories of what was once a prospering prairie town. This is as close as I was willing to get to the church as their were LARGE dog like tracks in the fresh snow. I don’t know if I’m more afraid of dogs or open wells. The Froude Presbyterian Church was built in 1921. In 1974 an attic fire destroyed the church but the remaining residents of the town worked to have it rebuilt. The church closed in September of 1981. Not long after one more wedding was held in the church and its been closed ever since.
Close to the church was this old truck. There were some other vehicles parked there but this one really caught my eye.
One interesting fact I did find was the story of 16 year old Jack Yateman. Boy Scouts were popular for the young men of Froude and Jack was awarded the Bronze Medal, the highest award to be given to a Boy Scout. Jack saved the live of his drowning patrol leader, E. Fox, during a swimming incident at a Scout camp at Bear Lake.
Froude, yet another reason why I think I need to move to Saskatchewan.
CRUMBLING MEMORIES 