abandonedseekers – Page 5 – CRUMBLING MEMORIES

May 7, 2019May 8, 2019

EDITH & ROBERT

This couple purchased this land in 1911 when they married. I am going to assume that they bought this land from one of Mr’s relatives as the same last name is listed as the first land owner of this section of land in 1891. This couple retired from the farm to Boissevain in 1949.

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Their only son John Robert, who was better known as Jack, farmed the property next door after he married in 1947 and moved away from his parents home farm. Mr. was a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows and acted as a trustee and chairman of the Fairburn School Division. His wife was active in the Royal Canadian Legion Auxiliary and the Fairburn District Ladies’ Group.

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The property was then sold to KA. I cannot confirm any history of this family living here. I can say that the home has been vacant for some time as there is no longer much of a floor in the home and it is teetering on what is left of the foundation.

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After KA owned the land the farm was sold to the Guide Family. Again, I cannot find anything about this family even though it is recorded that they owned this property for approximately 17 years. There is a good possibility that the land was purchased for the sole purpose of farming it and nothing more.

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There were a lot of neat little finds around the yard, including this old ringer washer and stove.

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I did some googling but I could not confirm anything I found.

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There was a lot of old equipment there as well and I have to say that this was probably the neatest thing I found, aside from the piece of stove.

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I contemplated going back to this property on this beautifully cloudy day, after I was told about it back in the winter. I sure am happy that I did even though I didn’t get as much history as I would have liked, I sure did find some good photo opprotunities.

May 6, 2019

JOHN & MARY-ANN and PETER & ERNA

There’s a good chance that this home may look familiar to you. I have been here 3 times now. The first time I stumbled upon it with Makenna just as the sun was setting and I had one camera and one lens with me. And honestly, the house creeped me out. Makenna wouldn’t even get out of the Jeep. A few months ago I went back for another look and made my way through knee high snow for a closer look. The resident skunk let me know that he was around by giving off his pungent aroma as a warning. I went again this past weekend when I could wander around for some better shots.

I have to admit that I am slighting disappointed on the lack of history I can find! I love the picture taking but I love the research too. So, I can tell you that the first family to own this property was originally from Plymouth, England. They came to Canada in 1850 then returned to England only to return again and settle in Ontario.

In 1890 John came West and chose this land as his farm. He worked all summer and fall repeaing crops planted by earlier settlers. Help walked from Souris to work the land in this area and grain was taken to Brandon by oxen or horses wherein the driver walked at least one way.

John returned to Ontario and in 1891 he married Mary-Ann. They left for Manitoba on a colonial train, bringing with them a rail car load of lumber for a home and barn. They also brought household furnishings, two cows and some horses.

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I’d like to think that this might be one of their carts, tucked away in the trees. There are actually two there but the other one isn’t in as good condition as this one.

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The front of this home is very over grown and a good photograph is hard to get from any angle. Its so overgrown in the front there just isn’t a good spot to get a shot without trees or branches.

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The second owner of this property, PA being approximatley 47 years of age, purchased this home and property with his wife. Four short months later he died of a heart attack at the age of 47. It is said that he lived a full life. Born in Grigejewka, Russia in 1920, he moved to Manitoba with his parents at the age of 6. He was only 11 years of age when his father passed away and at the age of 16 he and his mother took over the family farm. He married in 1941. purchased their own land in 1949. They had 6 children.

He served on two school boards including the Turtle Mountain Scchool Division and was a member of the Gideon Organization for many years.

The back of the home is not as exciting and of course, this is where I can get the best shots. I must admit that the open back door was very welcoming but aside from an old metal picnic like basket, there’s nothing inside to explore as the floor is caving in and is not at all safe.

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As I mentioned, the first time I set my eyes on this house, it kind of creeped me out. I explored it alone this past weekend and I certainly did not get that feeling. Its actually very peaceful and beautifully treed. The back of the house was easily assessible with a large shop and off just into the field were two more outbuildings. I’m sure this was a truly, beautiful home in its prime.

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April 24, 2019April 24, 2019

MORTON, ET AL

The orignial owner of this land came to Canada in 1881 from Kingston, Ontario and I am assuming, built this home. The family moved into the home in 1882 with they raised 7 kids.

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Many more families would rent this home and land and raise there families here as well. The home continued to be resided in up until 1980, which is the last recorded date that I was able to find.

I will make the assumption that the home was lived in later than the 80’s given the PVC windows.

The yard was very soft and spongee and not knowing what I was in for – I usually ask but didn’t when I called yesterday – I did not know if there were any wells that I needed to know about. I was also told that the home is known to be over run with masked bandits so I really wasn’t interested in taking a further look.

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What drew me to this house orignally was the brick fireplace outside. From the road I thought the house had stone pillars. When I pulled into the yard yesterday I found the stone stove/firepit near the driveway.

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I would have liked to explore a little more. There were some out buildings and I would have liked to get some better photos of the front of the house but I didn’t want to bother the eagles anymore. When we left the driveway, Dad was waiting for us high in a tree, giving us the stare down. Oh and the noise he was making is not what I would expect out of an eagle.

April 24, 2019April 25, 2019

1916

I wish I could find more about this house but I can’t! And its frustrating as hell! One thing I can confirm, those are the original shingles on the house.

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I found this house back in November and of course it was FAR TOO COLD for me to really explore and I did not have permission to do more than take a road shot.

That’s another thing that pisses me off, people who continually enter onto these properties, take their photos, post them online and then when a rule playing photographer comes along and asks for permission, I get the speil about how people don’t ask, they just go in, they take stuff that doesn’t belong to them, they leave the door open, etc. If you don’t contact the owner and ask for permission, at least have the audacity to not post your photos online!

When I spoke to the landowner back in November and was given permission the first time to take photos, post them online AND enter the home, I was told that the house was built in 1916 and the original owners lived in the home for 18 years. At that time three of these houses were built in the area. Mr. could not tell me if any of them were still standing but I do hope to check out the area one day.

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When the original owners moved out of the home it was always their intention to keep the home up. During the first winter the heating system was tampered with and this caused an issue with the water and heating system and the cost for repairs was worth more than the hassel. You can tell that when the home was left, it was always their intention to come back. The interior of the home is solid, sturdy and truly amazing given the year the home was built in.

April 19, 2019April 19, 2019

WILL & MAUDE

Originating from Devonshire, England, William John (1891 – 1966), along with his father and siblings, followed older brother Samuel to Manitoba. Their mother and sister passed away before the family could be reunited.

After settling in Southwestern Manitoba, W.J. fell in love and married a girl from Chicago. He bought this property in 1912 and in 1914 after he was married it was here that W.J. and Maude raised their 4 children, 3 girls and one boy. Their grandson’s would later take over the land and farm here until it was sold to its current owners. The home was rented out but eventually became a hangout for kids in the surrounding town

Will was part of the Oddfellows Lodge and Maude was a Rebeka, a group of women who cared for the elderly in the community. They were also a musical couple. Will played the piano and Maude played the violin. They formed the Sunday School Orchestra. When I first laid my eyes on this piano last Spring it was in much better condition, even though its been sitting on this somewhat sheltered veranda for many, many years. In the last year the cover has been removed from the keys exposing it to the harsh elements of Manitoba’s weather.

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The couple loved gardening and had a variety of shrubs, trees, fruit trees and gardens. People were known to visit the property in the summer time to see the yard and enjoy the beauty of the families yard. Although the property has been abandonded for many years, you can see the variety of plants and shrubs around the house as well as the beautifully treed driveway leading up to the house. You just know that the yard was beautifully landscaped.

I have written about this home in the past and I go back often. I truly do love this old place and I’m sure this won’t be the last we see of it for as long as I am out and about touring the countryside looking for old places to photograph and then searching its history. When I found out more of the history it gave me the perfect excuse to go back and shoot it again. This time I walked up the long winding driveway, something I would have never done before because the house is well secluded and jumps out you when you see it for the first time.

April 19, 2019April 19, 2019

THIS OLD FARM

This home is tucked away in the trees just off the highway. Behind it was a bigger home.

I can’t tell you anything about it. At first I thought this was a school but as I got closer it was most definitely a home. Maybe, as the family got bigger, they built a bigger home behind this one.

April 17, 2019April 17, 2019

ST. MARY’S SCHOOL

This school district was organized formally in July, 1885.

The school closed in 1967 and the remaining students went to a nearby school.

The original school building is still on the land but after closing down was converted to granary with this monument.

You can see from this photo that the windows have been boarded over and the front entrance has been moved.

February 10, 2019February 10, 2019

ROAD TRIPPIN’

A couple weeks ago, in a storm, I spotted an old barn right off the side of the road that I hadn’t seen before. Not sure how I missed it as this is a well traveled route for us.

As you would expect, the building was full of “Keep Out” signs. The condition of this old building and the signs led to a discussion about abandoned farmsteads and trespassing. These photos were taken off the road and no one can stop you from doing that. But the topic of trespassing is grey, in my opinion. At the end of the day, don’t go on if you don’t have permission. And if you do go on and you do get hurt, that’s on you.

I would imagine that while this property was running, it was a nice spot with a nice little ravine behind the barn, granery and the house. And the wide open spaces. And oh so close to the highway.

February 2, 2019

LEFT WONDERING

I drove by this old farmstead what seems to be 100 times during hockey try outs but never had the time to stop. Just after Christmas we headed that way again for a weekend long tournament and thought this is my chance.

I didn’t call ahead to get permission to drive onto the property and sometimes road shots are far more intriguing. I also don’t have much of a history but I’ll work on that too.

I had a good chuckle when I got back into the Jeep after taking a couple photos. The coach from my son’s team had texted to see if we were okay. My son took care of the text by replying “all good, my Mom just had to pull over to take photos of that old house.”

My new favorite hastag, #ipulledoverforthis

January 27, 2019January 27, 2019

SPECIAL CALL

Every once in a while, when speaking to a landowner, they will ask me if I would be willing to share with them some of the photos that I have taken of their property. I always do.

Just this last week I got a phone call from Mr. H calling to thank me for the prints that I sent him. He also welcomed me back anytime and told me that my photographs were “really, quite impressive.” Thank you very much, Mr. H.

I will certainly be heading back when the weather warms up. I want to capture the sunset through these trees.

January 5, 2019January 5, 2019

1908

The first descendants of this family farm purchased this land in 1908. It has been in the family for 3 generations. The land had 3 previous owners and the first recorded land owner was recorded in 1901.

Mr. H’s parents married in 1942 and this home was built for their new family. They moved to the original family homestead in 1952. Mr. H doesn’t recall living in the home but advised me that he was told he moved when he was roughly 5. He has made every attempt to prevent the home from being damaged and vandalized.

The family has been very active in farming and Mr. told me that until a while ago he made use of the graineries on the property but said age and advances in technology made it hard to use and utilize the way he’d like to. Mr’s parents were the third generation to farm this land and were very successful. Over the years they witnessed vast changes in the farming industry. The land was first farmed with horses and threshing machines, they survived the depression and spent their lives keeping up-to-date with the changes in their industry. They farmed till they passed.

Mr. now lives in the original family homestead which was built in 1886. In the early 2000’s a two story barn built in the 1900’s was destroyed by fire. Mr. had hired a mason to repair the stone foundation but the fire was to much for the old building to withstand.

December 18, 2018

HILLSIDE MANOR

Remember this place that I made my family stop at when it was -47 or so out?

The family of John and Emma McFadyn was the first family to settle in what would become Parksbeg, Saskatchewan. John became the second station agent. He was born at Augustine Cove, Prince Edward Island in 1852.

This house stands on the on the North hillside beside the East bound TransCanada Highway.

It was one of the first houses in the area to have central heating and complete indoor plumbing.

In 1941 the Lawson’s moved into this house on the hill.

December 15, 2018

WANTING MORE

I came upon this home driving around down the back roads one afternoon with the girls. I do recall that on this day we made many finds.

I headed home and started calling around for permission.

Mr. & Mrs. M were married in 1890 and came to the area and purchased this section of land. It remained in the family until 1996 when another family took over the land to farm it. A small section of land is still owned by descendants of this man.

Mr. & Mrs. M had 3 sons. One married and raised his own daughters on this land. He had been farming the land on his own since he was 17 years old when he father passed away. The youngest, Stafford went away and joined the RCMP but later came back to farm the land with his brother and mother.

One of S’s daughters stayed on the property and was the third generation to farm this land. It was her pride and joy.

I have to admit that I wasn’t happy with my photos of the house as there was a hydro line running right across the front of it. You can see from this photo though, where the photo of the family in the car was taken.

D’s passion was horses. Following in her mother’s footsteps she started raising purebred Tennessee Walking Horses. Evidence of this love was all around the home and this barn built in 1916. Horses were purchased from D and sent to Minnesota, Montana and all over Canada.

This is another one of those homes where they left but knew they were going to keep coming back. Everything is inside. You could move right back in, except age and time won over and the floor has given to the test of time.

There was no way to get upstairs for a look but I imagine that this home and property was stunning in its time. Except for the floor, the home stands tall. The curtain from this upstairs window kept blowing in and out, inviting you inside.

This property is truly a timeless treasure.

December 15, 2018

ELKHORN

On the Saturday morning on our way to Elkhorn for a hockey tournament the fog was so thick I didn’t even notice this house on the side of the road.

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I had been waiting for this weekend for a long time as I was determined I was going to get photos of the Scallion House in Virden, once and for all. The fog had other plans for me.

So on Sunday afternoon heading to the rink for the championship game, I spotted this. I made a quick stop on the way home for a couple of road side shots.

December 15, 2018

LONG HISTORY

The third owner of this land immigrated to Canada in 1846. I do not know if it was on this particular quarter section of land for sure but the documentation I found says it was. The record of the landowner documentation does not indicate when the land was sold or purchased nor does the history of the family. I do know that Mr. died in 1940 at the age of 63 but his Mrs. spent 10 more years on the farm before moving to Brandon.

The fourth owner of this land came to Manitoba in 1881 and was a partner with a real estate agency in Brandon. He traded this piece of land for a piece of property he owned in Wawanesa and this became the beginning of the family farm.

The family was active in their community and established Min-Mar Siding.

Their oldest son enlisted in the World War II and upon his return lived her with his wife and two kids. He then assumed the position of Secretary-Treasurer with the Turtle Mountain School Division.

The current owner purchased this land in 1978 and is a successful cattle farmer. He started building his herd at the age of 15. He married in 1980 and lived at this farm until 1985 when the home was partially damaged due to fire.

The property was full of valleys. The summer was dry so I can’t tell you if a lot of water ran through this property but I do know that the land is used for storing hay and I’m sure the cattle roam the property too.

December 9, 2018

LITTLEST HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE PART 2

While Reg goes along with me to shoot houses, his true passion is the farm equipment and old vehicles. He knows that I go home and I start researching to find out the history of the home with the hopes that I can find some connection in the town history books and word of mouth and through what we are told from landowners when we ask for permission to enter upon their land and photograph their buildings.

I found out this week that this was in fact a house, a very small house. The family divided the rooms with cloth for privacy.

This small home was built in 1946 when Mr. R returned from the war. He lived in the home with his wife for many years.

And I was right when I assumed that the home had been moved off the wood pile we found to where it currently rests.

And while it appears that today might not be a good day for me to try to wrap around my head around pages of family history, I can say that there is some relation from this home and the home of the unmarried lady whom took the bus to school with the kids once in a while.

November 24, 2018

COUNTY DERBY, ONTARIO

This family purchased this land in 1903.

I cannot tell you when this house was built but I can tell you it was very large and spacious with large sliding doors which separated the dinning room from the sitting area at the front of the house.

On the one side of the house there was a stairway leading up with a large wood banister and railings.

The view from the top floor of the home was amazing. There is a large bathroom and 4 bedrooms with a big hallway and large linen closet. This is also where we found the door to 3rd story of the home where someone took it upon himself to get a look around from the roof!!! There was a large eat-in kitchen with a side door off of it and a stairway to the basement which is wasn’t brave enough to try.

November 24, 2018

KITTIES EVERYWHERE

We weren’t expecting to find a house but we did. And a whole lot of cats. We were lucky enough to meet the gentleman who owns the land and was very familiar with the old homes surrounding him.

His ancestors were born in England but immigrated to the area in the late 1800’s. He started working for a gentleman in the area and in 1899 bought this section of land and built a house and married his wife.

The area school was on the corner of the road leading to his property and history reports that the current teacher allowed the children in her class to watch Mr. drive by with the first car in the area.

In 1914 this home was built. He was a four bedroom home with electric lights and a power washer.

Mr. had a threshing outfit and threshed for many of his neighbours. Farming changed, horses were replaced by combines. That didn’t happen for this family on their sloughy land until 1929. The drought came.

The current land owner is the third generation to farm this land.

November 20, 2018November 20, 2018

ONE HORSE TOWN

My dear husband and son found this place for me a couple weeks ago on their way fishing. After a quick phone call I was granted permission to have a look and received an invite to check out another place when I had time.

The home is now in the middle of a pasture and on that day we were visited by a very vocal mare.

Behind the home was a large body of water that was likely a source of water for cattle and now, the mare. I was told by the current land owner that his friend lived her and was actually knocked into this water by his bull, knocked out cold and drowned.

We did find an old barn and a piece of old equipment which was really neat.

This was a neat old machine.

I really liked how the setting for your different grains was attached right to the machine for your easy reference.

I have done some searching on this family and the property but have come up empty handed. I won’t stop though and if I do find more info, I will be sure to add it.

November 20, 2018November 20, 2018

HAUTE

I was lucky enough to be told the location of this home from a fellow abandon seeker in the area whom I believe’s great grandmother or grandmother once lived in the home.

The original owner of this land came to Manitoba in 1885 from Quebec. He married in 1894 and then bought this land. The first buildings on the land were a low frame house a log barn and a shop. The two latter were sod covered.

In 1918 Mr. decided it was time for a new house and planned for a two and a half storey home that was 25 by 32 feet. The materials were purchased from G.B. Robinson, a lumber dealer in Elgin, Manitoba. Recorded total cost for the materials and labor to build the home was $4,448.53.

Mr was an avid goose hunter and I would imagine the hunting was very good off the Whitewater Lake. It is said that many loads of geese were shipped to Winnipeg via rail and served as a delicacy in posh hotels.

Mr. & Mrs. had five children.

The home was a stop over for men hauling wood from the Turtle Mountains across the Whitewater Lake who would warm up and have refreshments before carrying on to the Elgin District.

The youngest son farmed the land until 1966 when they moved to a nearby town.