I love that I can get to this place when the timing is right. And this past month, just about every night we have had a great sky at sunset.
GINGERBREAD HOUSE AT SUNSET
COPENHAGEN
Mr. & Mrs. K migrated to this area in 1882. Born in 1852 and 1860, under the direction of her brother, arrived in Virden, Manitoba. Here they met Mr. Drysdale who brought them to their land. In 1887 Mrs. bought a neighboring section of land in 1887 from an early homesteader.
The couple raised two boys on this land. Their oldest boy was said to be an avid baseball player in 1903 and 1904 and the family would travel by horse and buggy.
The family farmed for a living and it is said that Mr. drew his first wheat to Souris. This was a 4 day round trip.
The home was well-known as a stop over place for travelers. These travelers were said to put their horses in the barn and knew which room was available to retire in. So even when the family was away, these travelers would make their way inside and retire before they countined on their journey. The family would find out who their visitors were when they came down for breakfast the next morning.
The eldest son of Mr. & Mrs. K was Charles married Nellie who immigrated from Scotland. Two son’s were born of this union. Charles continued to farm his fathers land while his brother married and bought his own land. The brothers continued to work together. Charles sat on the board of directors for the Dalny Pool Elevator. Charles was also the first person in the area to own an automobile which they purchased in 1909. Charlie & Nellie eventually moved to Winnipeg where Charlie became a mechanic. They eventually retired to Vancouver. Charlie passed in 1968 and Nellie in 1982. One of their son’s joined the R.C.A.F as a mechanic and their youngest son moved to California and became a real estate agent.
The next family to own this land doesn’t have any recorded information about their time on this farm.
We visited this house back at the start of Covid. The weather was amazing for mid-April (my sister’s birthday to be exact.) This was another day when we were trying to get somewhere and kept spotting more and more roofs as we went. From the clouds you will likely be able to figure which houses were also shot on this beautiful Spring day.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
This history made my head hurt. There’s just so much and then trying to link it all together without screwing it up. I actually started it and then stopped and went away from it for a few days. But here I am, making another attempt and writing just the most recent. I tend to become long winded when I write and I needed to remind myself to stick to what I know for sure, sort of.
I have been waiting many years for these houses to become more abandoned looking. And really when I photographed them, I wasn’t expecting to find out a whole bunch about them. Well, never assume because this piece of property and the family that owned it is full of history.
Sections of this land were purchased by the first settlers in this area who arrived in 1881. They did not homestead on this property but they farmed it because it is said that at that time land was cheap and “fertile”. Early settlers made out well.
The families who homesteaded on this land were not the original landowners. From my understanding, homes were not built here until many years later. In fact, the niece of one of the original settlers came from Montreal with her two boys to be a housekeeper for her uncle. Her son B, worked for his great uncle and eventually bought the land in 1912. B married and together the couple had 11 children, although 4 of those children died in infancy. Two of their son’s would eventually take over the farm for their parents.
I am going to make the assumption that this home was built by B & M and was the home that the two brothers were born and raised in. I am also going to assume that this house was an Eaton’s catalogue home. The home is still in very good condition although someone has come along and smashed windows.
Partners, I assume that when the brothers were old enough to have families of their own but wanted to continue farming together, this second home was built.
HE CAME ON THE TRAIN
John arrived in Oak Lake, Manitoba from Dunboyne, Ontario in 1881 while working with C.P.R. From there he went in search of land to farm. He purchased a section of land and took up homestead where he built a small house and planted a few trees with seeds he brought with him from Ontario. He brought three oxen and a 3 year old colt which was the horsepower behind his homesteading duties. While plowing his land, the oxen required frequent rest breaks and would lie down. While this is not common practice for horses, the young colt would watch his teammates go down and would end up laying down with them. When the local school was moved John donated a piece of land for the new school yard.
In 1882 when John’s sister and husband arrived in Manitoba, he purchased another piece of adjoining land. Here he set up his permanent residence, planted a shelter belt and built a hipped roof barn. The farm was dubbed “Glenview”. It was a beautiful sight on the bare prairies with its large garden, fruit trees and bushes.
In 1907, after falling in love with his farm hand’s sister, Lilly, they married and spent their married life at Glenview.
The couple never had children of their own but it is said that the home was always full of friends and children. And visitors leaving the home would leave with fresh veggies and berries from the couple’s garden.
John would often send his niece and her friend to school on his small driving horse, Skip. Once Skip delivered the girls to school, the girls would turn her around and she would go home on her own. John and Lilly were fondly remembered by their niece.
John was often sought after for advice. He was known to be quiet, unassuming and deeply respected. Himself and Lilly supported every good cause in their community.
In 1917 Lilly passed away. Now living alone, John encouraged his sister and her family who lived in Saskatchewan to come to Glenview. John lived with them until he passed in 1935. In 1942 his sister sold the farm and it was then sold again in 1954 to the family that still owns the land.
Colton and I came across this property on our way home from Wilcox in August. The barn no longer stands and the little cottage that was built for John after the death of his wife was later moved to a neighboring town.
TO GOOD TO BE TRUE
The very early history of this family is one that must be told. Richard & Maria who married in Kilkenny, Ireland on April 20, 1815, sought fame and fortune in the New World. Richard was able to find a exceptionally cheap passage and jumped on the opportunity right away. Young (20 years old) and newly married, Richard left his 18 years old bride behind. The plan was that she would board a ship with friends a month later. This would allow Richard to get their new home ready for her arrival. Turns out, the ship Richard boarded was a British privateer and the cheap passage had been a new press-gang scheme. After sailing the South Atlantic for 6 weeks, Richard knew there was a Yankee ship many miles away. Under the cover of darkness, Richard climbed out of a porthole and lowered himself to the ice cold, shark filled waters with a rope. After swimming for hours towards the light of the ship and with barely enough strength or energy, he crawled into the chain works by means of a broken rigging cable. Once on board, he collapsed in utter exhaustion. When the privateer came the following day, seeking their wayward passenger, the captain of the Yankee ship, impressed by Richard’s courage and determination, stowed him away in a crate and convinced the privateer that there was no way anyone could have survived in those waters.
Upon Richard’s arrival in Montreal and in great despair about the well-being of his young wife. After confirming that she had been a passenger on a recently landed ship, he headed to the government office to make some inquiries about his trip west. Upon his departure he spotted Maria coming down the stairs. The couple later received land from Colonel Talbot and started farming. Richard and Maria started farming, raised 11 children on their land. Richard served as a magistrate for many years. He was also one of the early founders of the Methodist Church in his community.
Richard and Maria’s grandson, Charles built this house in 1911 with the help of a local contractor. The bricks for this home were made in the families own brickyard. In 1912 they built a barn, but that no longer stands.
Born in 1901, Richard’s great granddaughter would later move into the home with her husband who was a well known horseman. He worked as a driver and would drive doctors and salesmen all over the country. During the 1918 flu pandemic he and his brother would drive doctors to the home of people seeking medical attention.
They raised two boys in this home. The family raised Shorthorn cattle on the farm. Mr. died in 1964 but Mrs. remained on the farm until her ill-health forced her to move into care in 1981. The photo above, Mr. being in the cowboy hat with his wife on his right, shows the couple with his family.
This beautiful old home is visible from the highway. I didn’t even get out of the car to take this shot. Here’s what I didn’t do. I didn’t write down where I was when I took this photo so when it came time do the history of the house, I couldn’t remember where I had photographed it so that I could search the history. I had to reach out to a fellow hockey parent from the area in hope that he would be able to help me. Thank you friend.
DUBLIN CASTLE
While photographing my neighbors house, my eagle eyed husband spotted another on the same section of land. Within a short visit and a tad bit of history about the house, we headed out through a field, over the tracks to this home that is now pasture land.
There were tons of photo ops on this property given an abundance of dead wood. I headed straight toward the house while Cade and Makenna wandered around.
This half section of land was owned by the brother of my neighbors now house. William received this land as a young man but within a few years of farming here, in 1919 to be exact, he moved to British Columbia. Over time the property was inherited to his brother.
We were told by the landowner that a good trail was made to the house through a field/swampy area and over the train tracks to the gate. She had recently been removing boards from the home and taking them back to their current home for projects.
The house was by no means safe to enter. The plaster on the inside walls is giving away and there are heaps and heaps of it everywhere. You may also notice the way the house is leaning inwards. It will eventually give in and collapse into the basement.
Mrs. told us that many, many years ago, the ancestors of her husband hauled this house to this location by horse. The home got stuck and the men had to hire the help of more horses to finally bring this home to its final resting spot.
I have to admit that this exploring trip was likely one of my favorite so far. Our intention was to head to our neighbors house, then head down to the remains of a stone church and then head home. We didn’t get to the church but off the top of my head I photographed at least 8 or 9 houses that day and got just as many leads for future exploring and shooting adventures.
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE
Situated in the same small town that is home to the oldest elevator in Manitoba and possibly Canada, this little house and its land was now owned by our neighbor. We were in the early stages of the COVID-19 lock down back in April and we were all happy to get out and to do something.
I didn’t have to hunt for this cute little house, it was a freebie. And once in a while its nice to not have to search. I had no idea what we were going to find when we got here but it was worth it. To top it off, we were given permission to enter the little home but was advised the stairs were sketchy.
Given it was Spring and nothing was really growing yet, the yard was easy to navigate. It was then I realized that summer exploring can sometimes be a pain in the ass. My goal is to get out as much as I can next Spring and Fall, which I think are the perfect time for searching and shooting abandoned properties.
When I came upon this back door to enter, the stench of skunk decided for me, that I would not be venturing inside. There is no way I was risking being sprayed this far away from home. What a ride home that would have been! I think I need to start carrying a garbage bag and a change of clothes with me cause being sprayed by a skunk is very possible with this hobby.
As you can see, the skies were absolutely amazing that day.
This is what I can tell you. The original owner of this land purchased same from the railroad in 1893. He attempted to sell the land in 1901 but the sale fell through. The land was then purchased by Mr. M in 1910 by “quit claim deed” and same was farmed by him and then his sons. Mr. M farmed the land and worked at the local post office until 1906 when his son Finlay took over this half section of land while his other son took over the other half. It is said that this house was built shortly after Mr. M acquired the land. At one time there was also a barn but that is no longer there.
Our trip to this small town to see this little house was certainly worth it. Thanks neighbor.
GINGERBREAD HOUSE
I just knew I had to go back to this house for another look. When I visited the first time the grass was really high and it was really hot and the sky was crap!
I called the landowners and Mr. was happy to let me head back out for a couple free photos. He was more worried about me wandering around during hunting season so I was sure to put on my colorful snowmobile jacket so I wouldn’t be mistaken for a deer.
The sky wasn’t ideal again but I figure, this is a short drive from home and maybe over the Christmas holiday I’ll catch it with a beautiful sunset.
This is a beautiful home, no matter why the weather or the sky. The landowner protects this home well and I really don’t blame him.
Also on the land is a neat old barn. I wandered over there again because it was hard to shoot the last time I was there for the grass and the leaves. Its so over grown that you really can’t get a good shot of it.
This must have been quite a home in its prime. I know, I say that a lot.
MURDER HORNETS, NO JUST WASPS
Many moons ago I visited this old house. The landowner and I chatted a little while about the house and if I recall correctly, it has been vacant since the 1970’s. I recall we had a long talk about wells and how I shouldn’t be concerned as anything on this land had been covered. What she didn’t warn me about were the MILLIONS (I might be exaggerating a bit) of wasps that had made their home in the south side wall. There were so many of them that you could hear them buzzing outside the house.
Once we made our way in you could see them flying around the kitchen. I didn’t go upstairs but they were quite active up there as well, according to my exploring partner.
Anyways, long story short, I went back a few weeks ago because I recalled there was an old car on the edge of the property which I didn’t photograph. Back then, the cars didn’t interest me at all.
So even though I was given permission all that time ago, I called the family again and of course they had no issue with me going back onto the land. What they didn’t know what that there was actually a car there. I’ll be sure to send them some photographs of it in the New Year.
There’s not much left of this old car. The inside is gone and there were no markers or badges on the outside. Cade and I were able to find something inside the car which identified it as a Mercury Monarch. Further investigation by super sleuth hubby came home and let me know the Monarch was only sold in Canada.
I’m glad I went back and got at least a couple shots. The sun was just starting to set and I desperately wanted to get two other properties photographed before I ran out of light.
ROSEVALLEY ROAD
From the highway I could tell there was some sort of vehicle down in the field on this route that we don’t travel often. I put it on my to-do list but never seem to get to it.
I made my way there in the Spring while I was checking out some other spots but the field lane in was wet and the crop was just starting to shoot up so I decided it would be best to put this off, yet again, until the Fall.
There were no distinguishing markers on this car so we made our way through the willows to find some sort of badge or marker. It was determined it was a Dodge. The inside of this car is melted out. I’ll make the assumption that over the years this field has been burnt down in the Fall and this has led to the glass, steering wheel and the inside of this car to be melted down.
Needless to say, a decent shot was hard to achieve and because the car was really overgrown, you couldn’t get anything good except a peek-a-book sort of shot. Honestly, I can’t even tell you if the wheels were still on the car.
There was was also a piece of an old farm implement close by, a stove and this.
Of course the color of this heap of metal gives it away but it was only a small piece of a bus.
CENTURY OLD FARM
This old farm house is over 100 years old. I didn’t actually find it myself, a gentleman whom owns the land and some abandoned properties around this one told me about it. When I checked it out the first time 3 or so years ago, it was still too perfect.
The yard site is beautifully maintained but there really isn’t anything left. There is a 3 car garage which is also maintained and still used by the land owner. They clearly have worked hard to preserve this home. Of course, someone always has to do something ridiculous and the front window has been smashed out since the last time I was here. I hope someone didn’t do it purposely.
I cannot tell you which early settler built the home but I can tell you that every family that settled here has been successful. A blacksmith, a breeder of Percheron horses plus endless crops.
I should have gotten closer to this old barn but, I was fighting the sunlight and there was house a mile away that I wanted to see before I had no light left.
Unfortunately my main draw to this property is what I thought was a car way out on the outskirts of the yard, going to the field. When I got back to the land after seeking permission, there was nothing where I thought the vehicle was! That’s what you get for procrastinating.
BERNICE (BERNEICE) SCHOOL
Located in what used to be known as Bernice, Manitoba in the RM of Two Borders, this little school is located right on the side of the highway.
While heading to Saskatchewan this past weekend to see my son, this school was conveniently located and I didn’t even have to get out of the Jeep.
Bernice School No. 547, which was established as Gould School, operated between 1888 and 1914. In 1914 it became Bernice (Berneice) School and operated as such until 1965 when it then became part of Napinka School No. 2369.
FLYWHEEL CLUB
Our municipality has a local flywheel club that is run on a volunteer basis. Every year the members have a parade and a designated weekend where they can show off all the work they’ve put into the tractors over the year.
The clouds on this day were amazing and so Makenna and I checked out a couple locations that day to take advantage of it. We visited a yard full of old Fords, an old favorite of mine that I visit every year and this place.
This summer I discovered that I really do like shooting the old vehicles and equipment and wish that in previous years I had paid more attention to that old equipment in the yards we visited. Over the winter I may have to go through all my old photos and find the cars, trucks and other goodies that I ignored.
CARS, CARS AND MORE CARS
A couple weeks ago, no more like a month ago, Makenna and I took the side by side down the highway to a little spot where I spotted some cars and stuff.
We found some trucks and cars and cars and lots and lots of lady slippers. Lady slippers make me think of my Grandpa.
We found this beauty and texted Grandpa to see if he could fix this up for Makenna. We figured 4 years notice would be lots of time for him to get it going. He said it was a stretch.
Anyways, here is a collection of some of the photos I took that day. You many not notice but the clouds were glorious that day!
I actually find myself looking for roofs and vehicles now.
A LITTLE TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
I can’t tell you anything about this house. I would love to know more but I cannot find anything. Seems to be the story of my life with my current outings.
This home is over 100 years old and the current owner told me they moved out of it because it was very hard to heat in the winter and was always cold.
The home was purchased by the Brander Family in 1958 and has had some upgrades to windows. The first time I stopped for a roadside shot in the winter time, the pigeons took off very quickly and hovered around.
This big old barn is currently occupied by a family of turkey vultures who were very unhappy about my visit. I swear one thought about swooping me. I didn’t get to close to the barn because the closer I got, the more active the vultures became. Typically my experience with them is that they fly away and watch. These ones hoovered above the barn and driveway the entire time I was at the house.
There are some white pillars around the front and side of the house where I’ll assume walkways led to the home. In the yard we found an area that I will assume was once a large flower bed. The only thing left in the tall grass were some white and pink peony’s.
BLUEVALE
The Bluevale School District was established formally in July 1901. It was replaced by a new structure and opened officially in November, 1960.
The school closed in 1967 and the building stood empty until being sold and moved to the Lake Max area to be renovated into a private residence. A metal sign commemorates the school at its earlier site.
The school seen many teachers over the years. The building I photographed is likely the second school house built in the 60’s and it is not in the Lake Max area.
GREGORY
I’ve known about this house for many years. I’ve shot it from the highway a couple of times. This winter I asked a hockey Dad if he had info on it and he got me in touch with the owner. I headed out there early this summer on a super hot, no cloud day! It was a trek in and Cade came with me, for added security. He also went to make sure I didn’t zap myself while dealing with the electric fence.
The current residents are of the beef variety but we didn’t see any actual cows, just patties. You can get right up to the house but there isn’t really anything to see.
The house is on a bit of a tilt althought most of the time I figure its just me. The one thing I miss on the Canon T6i is the level built into my screen. My Powershot SX60 IS has it but I rarely use that camera anymore. Like I said, it was REALLY hot out and I didn’t stay here for very long. This is really a house that should be photographed on a day with stormy skies or a stunning sunrise or sunset. For me, its just a tad to far from home for that.
There is no history on this home in any book I could get my hands on. I am going to assume that the home was purchased many, many years ago for the purpose of farming and the house has not been lived in for a very long time. The bay window on this old farm house is what always got my attention and I’m happy that I got to see it up close.
DEVIL’S GATE
I have a friend I’ve never met. She’s on online friend, a text friend, an abandoned friend. We have the same interests and we connected through a mutual friend that was my friend when I was in kindergarten through grade 4. Then I moved schools and we didn’t see each other much after that.
Anyways, LM lives in Winnipeg but often travels out this way to find and photograph abandoned stuff. When we see something on each others Instagram we ask each other where or who. We share our finds and contacts. Last winter LM found this house that she was totally in love with. She went and went back again. Well I had forgotten about it but spotted it a couple weeks ago off the highway and of course she got me in touch with the owner.
Turns out there was a movie filmed at this house, its on Netflix and its called Devil’s Gate. Within the first 4 to 5 minutes of the movie you will see the house and likely want to turn the movie off cause you’ll see about as much as you’d like. Its gory and not my type of movie.
So last week I tried and tried and tried to reach the land owner and couldn’t. So I drove down the road on my way home anyways because if you can get a good road shot, well, you don’t need permission. So I drove down the road and came upon a truck stopped at the house. I stop behind him, get out my camera and take a couple shots. I have no idea if the person in the truck knows I’m there or not. There is nothing around this house, some bush and field. That’s all. Well I look ahead to take a photo and there’s a barrel of a gun hanging out the driver’s side window. So I tell Colton and I put the car in reverse and the truck drives away.
I take a couple shots and drive away. The next morning the land owner returns my call and proceeds to tell me that he cannot allow people to photograph the house cause he can’t be there to charge them a fee and that the house is not safe and either is the property because the movie people didn’t remove the props and the traps are still set all over the yard. I call BULLSHIT. So does LM cause she was on the property, with his permission and everything is gone. No traps. No chance of being impaled.
At this point I’m rather annoyed because one, you cannot charge people money to take photos of an old house from the road, because if I’m on a numbered road, I’m not trespassing and secondly, you’d think he had Buckingham Palace on his farm land. Goodness Mr., its a rotten old house that got a little attention from a low-budget film. I’m sure you are not going to be able to retire from the money you received for the crew to film there.
So I told Mr. that I had driven down the road the night before and I had taken a couple photos of the house from the inside of my car. I also advised him that he couldn’t stop people from doing that nor could you charge them a fee. I also told Mr. that it was highly illegal to shoot a firearm from a vehicle. He advised me it was his neighbor shooting coyotes that were getting into his chickens. There isn’t a farm within a mile, in any direction, of this abandoned property. Maybe more.
Earlier this week I went back. I did not get out of my car and unfortunately could not get a good shot of the front of the house where the young man in the movie, with the car trouble, goes and knocks on the door.
Regardless, its a pretty neat old house and that barn is very unique. The house does have a creepy vibe, even from the road. I likely shouldn’t have watched the beginning of the movie and its a good thing I didn’t finish watching it.
KEEP GOING BACK
This is one of the first houses I photographed and one of the first houses I actually went inside of.
I love this house. So at least once a year I go back to visit it and see what’s changed. I can’t believe how much its grown over since my last visit.
When I started taking photos of the old houses, I didn’t really focus much on the barns and other out buildings so because the skies were amazing that day, I did.
This yard is still used for storage and there is a path leading out to a field. The current landowner frequents this location often.
According to my research, this yard that was known for its stunning flower gardens. On our way out, we spotted a lone pink peony growing in the tall grass. I had put all of my stuff away as we were traveling by side by side down the dirt roads so I didn’t want anything getting dusty.
My daughter was very interested in this van and what happened to it. I’ll have to do some asking around and find out for her. I wonder if she would believe me if I told her that the accident was a result of texting and driving.
And you may recall this little blue truck, from previous posts, although Mother Nature is really taking it over.
I would LOVE to see a photograph of this house when it was in its prime.
SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND
During the early stages of COVID, we were all eager for a day out of the house so we went house hunting. I have to admit that I had plans to go a lot further than we did but it was so worth it and I have all summer to get to the edge of Manitoba to see what I need to see.
Along the way we made numerous stops that were not on my to do list. My eagle-eyed husband just kept spotting things in the distance and so, we stopped I shot, we carried on.
This is one of them. I cannot find any history on it so this is all I’ve got. Honestly, I took two photos from the side of the road and carried on. I don’t think I even got out of the Jeep to take this photo.
CRUMBLING MEMORIES 