southernmanitobaabandoned – Page 5

November 24, 2019

CLICKITY CLACK

Mr., born in Crewkerne, Somerset, England in 1884 came to Canada in 1902 and worked at Pilot Mound. In 1908 he moved to Glenboro but went back to England when the war started and as enlisted in the Royal Artillery for 5 years. While there he met and married his wife. They returned to Canada from Liverpool with their two children on March 27, 1925 upon the S.S. Montclair.

I can’t say for certain that they built this home but research tells me that after the sale of this property, it was mostly used as farm land and not a homstead.

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Mr. & Mrs. & their children were active in their community and were members of the local Church of England.

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The family fondly remembers Christmas Concert and picnics held by their school.

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Their son worked for different local farmers in the area but when his father was no longer able to farm the homstead, he took over the farm in 1947.

The farm is now home to a new owners and his herd of cows.

On the property, there remains a lot of the old equipment, much of it overtaken by trees and barely visable.

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Mr. died in 1984 at 100 years of age.

November 18, 2019

WE ALL FALL DOWN

Cade & I found this house in April. I settled for a road shot, made a note of its location and started the search for its land owner. I couldn’t wait to get closer for some better shots of this house.

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I went back a couple weeks later and the crop was already sprouting so I decided I would wait and not attempt to cross across the crop. I would wait until the Fall.

One late Summer day the sky was fabulous and since this isn’t far from my house I went for a ride to take some more photos. This is a completely unedited shot. I LOVE this photo.

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This weekend, I went back and she’s gone. All that’s left is a small pile of rubble where she used to stand. Tonight while searching the history of this property, I didn’t find much and really can’t confirm anything except to say that the first land owner took possession of the property in 1894. 6 years later land owner number 2 took over.

I’m happy that I didn’t find anything more as not getting closer kind leaves its history as a mystery that will always keep me wondering. I’m happy for the shots I got though.

October 26, 2019

PETER, PAUL & MARY

Born in Jugovka, Samara, Russia, in 1905, Peter and his family moved to Siberia when he was four years old. Fluent in both Russian & German, Peter and his family moved to Canada in 1926, settling in the Margaret area.

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He married Elizabeth in 1944 and for a few years they rented land in the Minto area.

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In 1948 they bought this land and lived here until 1971.

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They raised two girls on this farm and upon retirement, moved to Boissevain.

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I stumbled upon this place while driving around aimlessly in the area. The sun was just going down and every angle gave me different lighting.

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It was a beautiful night but the skeeters were AWFUL and my family kept calling, worried that I had fallen in a well or rotten old floor. To add to my fear, I have now been told that an old house I’ve been waiting anxiously to photograph and just got permission for, has wild boars living across the road in a wooded area. Ya, that’s not scary at all.

September 22, 2019September 22, 2019

ALONG THE WAY

If you live where I live, you’ll know this house because there is a good chance you’ve passed it on a road trip to Winnipeg. An easy capture from the side of the highway. And a bonus, on this particular day, it wasn’t raining.

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September 1, 2019

ROADSIDE TREASURES

I’ve passed this barn a million times. Barns aren’t really my thing but I thought I’d stop and see what I could get. I couldn’t get very close but thought this was a pretty decent shot nonetheless. I think with summer coming to an end and with the limited amount of shooting I’ve done this summer, I’ve decided I have to stop at whatever I see.

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August 5, 2019

TURNED AROUND

On this day of exploring, I was in new territory. I had vistited a home on my to-do list and then attempted to get into another but didn’t want to distrub the crop in the field and decided to come back in the Fall.

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On our way home, hubby (aka Eagle eyes) took a turn of the main highway to investigate a roof in the distance. As we carried on we came across this old place.

Driving away from what I think will be a real gem, once I get permission, I got all turned around and lost track of the road numbers. Then we stumbled across this.

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I admit, I don’t like when I can’t find some sort of history on the property. It feels like the job is incomplete. Anything I can find doesn’t confirm who the actual land owner is or their life there.

August 5, 2019

FAMILY OF 12

Sam came to the Ninga District with his family in 1882. He worked for others for a small wage until he bought this property on October 23, 1893. He married Isabel in March 14, 1894 and raised 12 children on this property.

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In 1966 the property was sold to the Peters Family, also immigrated from Russia.

There is no home visable on the land except for this truck. The front of the property from the road is completely grown over by cariganas. I took a walk down a field lane and was met by many birds and butterflies but the dense bush did not reveal what it was hiding.

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I do love this old truck that sits proudly outside its home.

July 28, 2019July 28, 2019

HILL CRESCENT FARM

Born on July 1, 1867, AM came to Manitoba at the age of 26 years of age. He arrived in Hartney on August 13, 1895 on a harvest excursion train. In the spring of 1897 he bought his first section of land and broke 60 acres using 3 horses and a walking plow. Two years later, he bought this homestead. He worked summers in the fields and winters at his camp in the Turtle Mountains. One winter fire took out his camp. He lost everything, including his horses.

In 1909 he built this big, beautiful brick house.

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In 1912 he purchased an E.M.F. car, one of the first in the area. And on January 1, 1914 he married Grace, a registered nurse. They had three children, 2 boys and a girl.

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The same year this big barn was built and has been a familiar landmark since. In 1932 the original barn burnt but another was built on the same foundation that same year.

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He 1916 they built a large granary with horsepower installed to elevate grain. The same year they had a 16 volt lighting plant installed in the home. There was a building there, close to the house that I assumed was the granery. Unfortunately I did not take a photograph of the building. Dang.

I have to admit that driving out to these properties, I was a little annoyed the that sky got clearer and clearer as we got closer. Not the skies I was hoping for. I don’t typically research the property before I photograph it with the hope that I can pick up all the key parts I sometimes find in the history with the naked eye. Guess I missed this one.

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Mr & Mrs. passed in 1962 and 1965, in their nineties. Their son took over the farm where he farmed the land many years with his wife J, who married in 1957. R & J had 4 children. J was married previously and lost her husband at a young age to diabetes. She was a teacher in the area and remained with her two children. She took great comfort in having her in-laws living on the farm in a separate house. She eventually met and married R and her and the children moved to this farm. J stopped teaching to raise her two youngest children.

R & J were both active in their community playing sports, hosting 4H Rally’s and club events. When farm work was caught up the couple enjoyed travelling. They travelled to western USA, Hawaii, Europe, Ireland, England and across Canada.

The diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease forced R to quit farming in 1996 where him and J built a retirement home in town.

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.

March 25, 2019March 25, 2019

LYON’S MANOR – CARBERRY, MANITOBA GEM

I have driven by this beautiful old home many times over the years but have never had my camera with me. Today I thought I’d better do this as there have been many rumors around the abandoned talk groups that this home is coming down.

I won’t try to mask this location as just about everyone knows what home this is. While there were no signs posted around the property stating “No Tresspassing”, I did not enter past any gate, service road, etc. My understanding is that the structure of the home is very unsafe.

What fascinates most of us is the details of this structure. The brick walls, magestic staircase and huge structure for it’s time. I have only ever seen photos of the inside and if you haven’t, google it. I can only imagine its grandeur in it’s day.

The original owner, Robert Fern Lyons was born in Leeds County, Ontario in July, 1856. He moved to Manitoba in 1879 where he established a general store on the plains. When Mr. Lyon’s came to Manitoba, the town of Carberry had been platted. At that time, Mr. Lyon’s and a partner purchased the first two lots sold in the business district and built a department store.

On the 20th of April 1888, Robert married Janet Josephine Hume of Winnipeg. They had four children. In 1888 Mr. Lyons sold his interest in the department store.

Mr. Lyon’s built this home around 1896 on a part of his 2700 acres of land he owned around the Carberry area. On 1600 acres he grew grain and raised high grade stock. This two-storey, red-brick veneer residence was occupied by the Lyon’s family until 1919.

He was also said to be a stockholder in the Lone Pine Gold Mining and Milling Company Limited and was Vice-President of the corporation. He also owned a grain elevator at Carberry. A Conservative, he was elected to the Manitoba Legislature as member for Norfolk in 1892, 1899, 1903, 1907 and 1910.

Farmer Thomas Switzer purchased the home in 1919 and lived there until 1927. Mr. Switzer’s son and daughter-in-law stayed there until 1952. The home was then owned by Stanley Paluch and Madeline Sokryka Krawec who lived there until 1964 when they moved to McCreary. At that time the home was sold to Harold Shirtliff.

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 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.