RM of Prairie Lakes – CRUMBLING MEMORIES

August 19, 2022

LOCAL MERCHANT?

This is another property I have driven by a million times and have never stopped at. I did two properties in one day and guess what? No history on this one either.

So here is a photo dump of this little property that kept on giving. I thought I was going for this house.

We passed by an old ice cream sign and some old bottles.

At this point Cade has already taken off to check out an old Mac truck.

It don’t think I’ve ever found one in such nice condition and it was even more shocking that the dog was still attached.

To my surprise I had stumbled upon a little old truck/tractor resting spot. Wahoo, old cars and bando houses. Why didn’t I stop here sooner.

Not sure what happened here but it made a good photo.

Then I found this. I am sure that this is some sort of old store. When I asked the current owners, they didn’t have a whole lot of information to provide.

And then I found this. This made my day. So enjoy this photo dump. If I ever find more info about this location and the little “store” I’ll be sure to update.

Have I ever mentioned before how much I hate hydro lines at a bando site?

August 18, 2022

1910

I have driven by this house a hundred times and last Fall, Cade took me to this location to shoot it once and for all. We are asked to please shut the gate and watch for wasps.

The house is in remarkably good condition and wasn’t too bad to get to. We drove right up to it actually. I did get bit by something while getting a shot of the back of the house. Nothing serious. Stung for a bit and left a little mark. The round window above the kitchen on the wide of the house says 1910 which I am assuming is the year the home was built.

I loved the little window on the top of the house and the little “fence” at the top.

Of course, this is another house that I cannot find any history on and that is why it has taken me so long to post the photos. So, here they are. What I do know is that this land was claimed by its first homesteader in 1888. He is recorded as living here with his wife and 5 children. The land changed ownership in 1905 and maybe this particular house was built in 1910. If ever I come across something more concrete, I will definitely update.

July 25, 2021

BEING STRONG DOESN’T MEAN YOU WILL NEVER FALL DOWN

Back in June, 2018 (yes, 2018) I went out to this house. It was one of the first I got permission to photograph and I have gone back a few times since.

Back to that 2018 thing. I cannot believe that I have been doing this since 2018. Wow!

Anyways, here it is back then. The floor was giving out, the roof was caving in and the stairway was a mess. I did not step inside the home but I could get up to the windows and doors and see inside.

Today I went back. Mother Nature has had her way with this place.

July 19, 2021

PELICAN TOWN

I have driven by these vehicles hundreds of times. The kids at the colony have asked me to stop and take some photos. So finally I did.

Given that they are right out in the open and have some buildings beside them and behind them, I didn’t think I’d get any decent shots. Sometimes the best photos come from the opportunities you doubt most.

When I posted these photos on my Instagram account, Cade had no idea where I had found these as he is usually with me when I venture out now because I’m scared to go alone.

I am happy that the kids talked me in to it because I think they turned out pretty good.

When I texted them to one of the kids to see if they could identify them, they knew right away.

December 31, 2020

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.

December 17, 2020

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.

July 6, 2020

ACCIPITRIDAE

On the way home and not long after stopping for the foxes, I spotted something else up on the highway just before we got to Ninette. It was a bald eagle. I started to slow down and asked Colton to reach in the back and grab the Sigma lens (the really, really long one that I don’t really love yet). As we approached and slowed, it picked its roadkill up off the road and flew into the trees on the other side of the highway. In another photograph, a black bird is flying around trying to convince this bird to share its meal. Don’t think that happened.

Eagle_1 for email

I had been fortunate enough to find the foxes and the eagle during the golden hour. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get a lot of good shots of it and actually came home and listed the Sigma lens for sale. I have since changed my mind and have decided to keep it but need to make a decision soon as its a very expensive lens to dislike! And saying that I don’t have the time to play with it is a crock because I’ve been unemployed since May 1st and will be unemployed until September. Time to stop procrastinating and do something with it.

March 20, 2020March 20, 2020

REVISITING AN OLD FAVE

Back in February, on a beautiful sunny and mild day, I went out. Just my camera and I. It was just what I needed. On my way home I thought I’d check for another place when I decided to check out an old favourite of mine, in the winter.

unrau house visit two for email

This house was one of the very first contacts I made and I often think I’d like a re-do of the first shots that I took because of the growth I’ve made in my photography. I may have to put it back on my to-do list.

unrau house shot two email

February 2, 2020February 2, 2020

MARGARET CONCRETE ARCH BRIDGE

Constructed between 1916 and 1917 using day labour, at a cost of about $6,000, this abandoned concrete arch bridge is situated in the RM of Prairie Lakes, Manitoba.

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Now over a hundred years old and recently under the extreme pressure of a winter run off, the bridge remains at the edge of their small community and is used as a foot bridge.

Margaret Bridge email

The remains of a former concrete culvert bridge sits below it.

April 6, 2019

ALMA SCHOOL

This school has been on my to see list for some time. I was told that it was no longer there so a couple nights ago I wasn’t doing anything and thought I would go for a ride to check it out not expecting to find anything except a metal monument in its place. Well low and behold, there it stood.

The Alma School District was established formally in July 1891, but wasn’t name until a year later by a student in the first class.

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A wood frame schoolhouse served as the first school house on the property and was used until 1905 when it was replaced by this one room brick structure, complete with full a basement and an oil-fueled furnace.

The school closed in January 1961 and its remaining students then attended the Belmont Consolidated School.

At the back of the property is what I will assume was the outhouse and a small storage building. The yard is well maintained.

There is extensive structural damage to the side wall of the school and the front entrance is blocked by a large pile of plaster, likely renovations carried out by the schools newest tenants.

A wooden stud wall inside the school was built in an attempt to stabilize the structure. A monument stands next to the former school.

There is a rickety staircase that leads up into the back of the school. As I wasn’t feeling much like a risk-taker and didn’t venture inside. This is likely due to the large “enter at your own risk” sign stapled to the door frame and the fact that I didn’t feel like running from any rabid racoons.

Among the teachers of Alma School were Alexander Tumoth (1890), Percy Brether (c1900), Jean Williamson (1948), Miss Munroe, Miss Tisdale, John Sutherland, Miss Donna McLean, Miss Anne Hawn, Miss Alice Embury, Mrs. Shirley Dubyts, Miss Irene Fitzpatrick, Miss McIntyre, Miss Marjorie Cleave, Miss Eva Croll, Ed Arndt, Miss Myrna Wray, Mr. P. Lougheed, K. M. Prowse, Miss Jean Cowell, Miss Pat Williams, Mr. McRae, Miss Evett, Miss Muriel Robinson, Miss Pinn, Miss Marion Lewis, Miss Jean Campbell, Miss M. Stintson, Mr. Johnson, Miss Anna McLean, Norman Smith, Miss Margaret Downey, Miss Ruth Watson, Miss Kinley, Miss Wall, Miss Mae Berry, Miss Harrower, Miss Katie Playfair, Henry Woods, Miss Murgatroid, Miss Shorthose, Miss Hazel Cunningham, Miss Valance, Miss Carvell, Miss Bailey, and Miss McGowan.

I’m glad I didn’t take someone elses word and drove out to see what was there. It was worth the drive and my fingers did eventually thaw out.

October 20, 2018

OUT and ABOUT

This Spring when my mission to find and shoot as many abandoned properties around me began I traveled to and from work searching for barns and rooftops. Here is one I spotted from the highway on my way to work.

October 7, 2018October 8, 2018

12 YEARS OLD

The original owner of this land, born in 1846, left his large, poor, religious family in Lac Megantic, Quebec at the age of 12 years old with only .90 in his pocket and the clothes on his back. He had intentions of making big money. He took on whatever jobs he could find and for many years was part of a railway construction gang as a cook in Winnipeg.

In 1881 himself and another landowner, whose old property we have visited, headed to the land titles office in Winnipeg to purchase land in the R.M. of Prairie Lakes. They reached their farms over 100 years ago with a team of horses, a plow to break land and food supplies. Working as a cook gave him a good idea of what food supplies would best suit them. They stocked up on cured salted pork, flour, sugar, coffee and tea.

On his 30th year he arrived at his property. He started breaking land by hand and built a small house. It was hard work but he was able to break land. He also purchased a sow that had 12 little pigs. He sold the extra meat for money. He also purchased a cow and calf for milk and meat and 6 laying chickens.

He never married and when he got older and the work got to be to much he asked his brother to help him.

In 1887 a minister arrived in the area and had the idea to build a small chapel on the land. The downstairs served as the living quarters, the upstairs as a chapel and a small corner on the main level served as the post office. Eventually the church was moved to Dunrae, MB. They also started building a blacksmith shop and a general store. The building of the new railway through Dunrae stopped construction and the small church was moved. The first St. Felix Cemetery remained on the property.

He died in 1915 at the age of 69.

The property shows no signs of this history any longer, except the St. Felix Cemetery in the middle of the 1/4 section.

This is the present home on the land.

On the property was this neat little play house. You could see in the distance that someone has used it as target practice. That day I wasn’t brave enough to venture through the long grass for a closer look.

There were a couple of old buildings on the land which maybe could have been part of the original land owners.

Maybe one of these old buildings were built all those years ago.

October 6, 2018

BUTTRUM PART 2

A couple weekends ago I finally got myself inside this school. I don’t know what it is that keeps me going back. One thing for sure is that the sky always looks fabulous in the background. It never disappoints.

Once inside I tried to envision the very first Christmas concert with family & friends peering through the windows to get a better look.

And of course what is an abandoned exploration without me finding a shoe!

Such a neat old place with so many of the old settlers having played some sort of role as trustee, contributor or student. Love that its still here to be a part of history.

October 6, 2018October 7, 2018

EATON’S CATALOGUE ORDER?

I have been waiting all summer to get into this house. I found it online on an abandoned home site and was lucky enough to be told its location by a local lady in town who lived there as a young bride. I then discovered that Reg knows the family and he was able to get us permission to enter the home and photograph it.

Set up high overlooking their land, this home still is as stunning as I imagine it was in its time.

I won’t post a lot of photos of the home at the request of the land owner but I can give you little bit of history about it.

The original homesteader came from Owen Sound, Ontario. His family originated in England and were mainly bankers. Mr. R choose sea life. Becoming bored with his profession he immigrated to Canada in 1868 where he married his wife J. Their first born son was born in Portage la Prairie, MB and at 6 weeks old they traveled to the area and settled into this homestead.

I am told that the home was purchased through the Eaton’s Company. You can find a list of the home plans here.

From comparing photos I took inside and outside of the home I would say that this would be the original listing of the home for purchase through Eaton’s.

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There were many mail order home companies back in the early 1900’s but the most famous was the T. Eaton Co. Ltd. The business was centered at its Winnipeg branch. Eaton houses were made for Western Canada and most of the houses are found on farms.

They had dozens of different models but the most popular was the Earlsfield — a 1-½ storey house with a double gambrel roof. The barn-like roof made for very efficient use of lumber to provide a lot of living space.

The materials cost for the Earlsfield in Fall and Winter 1917-18 was listed at $1,193 (that’s $16,482 in 2015 dollars). Inflation was rampant in the teens so they quit posting prices in 1919. Lumber was shipped by rail from mills in BC and millwork from Winnipeg.

Also on the property is what is left a an old stone barn.

This was certainly worth the wait. Of course I took way more pictures but you can only post so many.

September 25, 2018October 7, 2018

ST. FELIX CEMETERY

This one had me stumped. Until today. So now I will edit it.

This land was owned by a bachelor who left home at 12 years old for bigger and better things. He was determined he was going to make it big. He left his large, poor family with .90 in his pocket. He worked his butt off to make ends meet and eventually bought this 1/4 section of land which he broke by hand. He raised animals and worked hard and eventually built himself a log home.

When he started to get older and the work became to much he asked his brother for help. Eventually a local minister and a small chapel was built on the land. Living quarters on the main level with a small post office in the corner and a chapel upstairs. A general store and blacksmith shop were in the works and when the railway was built the decision was made to move the chapel to Dunrae.

This small cemetery is located in the middle of a farmer’s 1/4 section, marked off by poles which holds approximately 30 graves, most of them unmarked and some of them with bare wood crosses.

I am told that this particular cemetery was marked by the local Knights of Columbus group.

A small town site was in the works for this property but the building of the railway changed all this. That is why there are two cemetery’s in the area.

This cemetery is also in a farmer’s field but its not smack dab in the middle of one and its closer to a church.

The headstones at first St. Felix Cemetery were not easy to get to. There were not as many markers there as there were names on the plaque and there were many deep holes in the uncut grass where the stones were. We were able to get closer to a couple of them.

The grass was really high which made it hard to see the stones that were lower to the ground unless you could get closer to them and move some of the tall grass away.

Some of them were the traditional stone and there were a couple made of iron.

Others were just wood crosses that may have been marked with a name but has weathered over time.

Some of these graves have been here before the 1900’s.