Elkhorn Township School #4

The largest of the four schools in Elkhorn Township and it's a real beauty.  The design is one of the grandest I've seen in all of northern North Dakota.

This handsome old school is only about four miles southeast of the third schoolhouse.  And, to see all four schools is only a seven mile trip through the countryside...and a beautiful countryside it is.  Time well spent.  

Little school out on the prairie...

...and bales.

The State Historical Society of North Dakota has done an excellent job of documenting the past, making their website invaluable when it comes to research.  I've spent countless hours "finding" new spots to visit on my road trips.  "Thank you" for all your dedicated work in keeping history alive.   

Photographed in Elkhorn Township, North Dakota on June 18, 2023.

Elkhorn Township School #3

As with the previous two Elkhorn schools, this one stands just to the side of the road in a lush green pasture.

The original building was quite small though obviously there was an addition at some point in time.  Doesn't really look like a purpose-built schoolhouse, does it?  In fact, on my trip through the area in 2017, I drove right past thinking it was probably an old homestead.  Further research a couple of years later revealed it to truly be an historical school.  

Elkhorn Township School #3 is only about a mile southwest of the second one.  

Some prairie roses blooming on the east side of the building.  Yes, I did stop to smell the roses. 

Photographed in Elkhorn Township, North Dakota on June 18, 2023.

Elkhorn Township School #2

The second Elkhorn School stands barely three miles west of the first one.

I love the design of both schools...small but elegant  And here the bell tower is still upright, just as it was when I visited in the fall of 2017. 

East facing windows meant lots of morning light for the kids early classes.  

The many ponds and sloughs all through North Dakota were full from spring runoff and rain so this red-winged blackbird must have felt right at home.

Photographed in Elkhorn Township, North Dakota on June 18, 2023.

Elkhorn Township School #1

Some photos from a spring road trip through parts of North Dakota last year.   

Elkhorn Township is in the extreme northwest corner of the state, and while researching the area, discovered there had been four schools built over the years for the ever growing population in the early days on the frontier.  

I couldn't find any specific dates as to when they were built or how long they were in service but was happy to find that all four were still standing...some in better condition than others.  This is Elkhorn Township School #1...ravaged by time but still holding on.  

This part of the world was settled mostly by people of Scandinavian descent, and going to school here was where all their youngsters learned to speak English...who in turn taught their parents.  Most everyone still living here are direct descendants of those Northern Europeans who originally settled the area.  In many ways, not much here has changed for well over a hundred years.  

Photographed in Elkhorn Township, North Dakota on June 18, 2023.

International Peace Garden - Peace Chapel

The Peace Chapel is the only building I know of that stradles both the Canadian and American border.  

The chapel was dedicated in 1970 and completed just a few years later in 1972.  It is open year round but in winter it's best to phone ahead a few days in advance of your visit so arrangements can be made for snow removal.  Although the chapel is austere and designed as a formal space one can arrange for non-denominational services of a more personal nature to be conducted here...get married or buried or baptised...or maybe just get together with some friends and family to celebrate life and all it has to offer. 

The photos show the inner glow of the chapel in the early morning light on a lovely fall day.  It was nice to just sit down and enjoy life in the present, in peace.  

Photographed in Manitoba and North Dakota on September 17, 2023.

Abandoned Church in Larson

Have stopped in Larson several times over the years.  

This handsome, if neglected, old Lutheran Church is still holding its own.

A young hawk perched on top the spire...learning to fly. 

Photographed in Larson, North Dakota on September 14, 2023.

Farm House near Leeds

Large farm house, probably lots of kids and endless work on the farm.  

I wonder how often they had a chance to simply enjoy the view from the veranda?  Hope they made the time every once in a while.

Photographed near Leeds, North Dakota on September 16, 2023.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Late afternoon near Lostwood, North Dakota.

This red-winged blackbird was trilling from his perch on top of a steel fence post.

Photographed on June 21, 2023.

Yellow-Headed Blackbird

It was late spring, the weather was beautiful and gardening duties were under control...time for a road trip.

Spent most days in North Dakota where they'd had lots of snow and spring rain.  That means all the ponds and sloughs were full of water, which in turn means a habitat for migrating birds.  Saw yellow-headed blackbirds just like this one in most every wetland I came across.  Good for them.

Photographed near Plumer, North Dakota on June 19, 2023.

Two Weeks in September

My end-of-the-year post focuses on one two week long trip from this past September...one photo from each day of the trip.  Enjoy!

September 12, 2023

Windcrest S.D. No. 3938 near Crestwynd, Saskatchewan.

This abandoned schoolhouse always seemed to be a little elusive on previous road trips but "today was the day," as they say, so I went a little out of the way for a look.  It's been a long time since anyone went to school here but it still looks pretty handsome out on the open prairie. 

September 13, 2023

Federal Grain Elevator at Moreland, Saskatchewan.

Built by the Golden West Company in 1916-17 and later operated by Federal Grain.  At the time of my visit it had been closed for sixty years...several years longer than it had been in service.  

September 14, 2023

Tonset Church and Cemetery near Lignite, North Dakota.

I'd stopped here some years ago but relished the idea of once again traveling the winding one-lane road through the countryside for another visit.  I liked this photo of the church partially hidden by trees and shrubs, lending it to a slightly mysterious air.  The church and cemetery served the area from 1916-1968...and are both still lovingly cared for.   

    

September 15, 2023

Ralph Allen Railway Museum in Oxbow, Saskatchewan.

Heading east from Estevan on an overcast and cool Saturday morning, a cup of coffee in the cupholder and no particular place to go.  Along the way I passed through the Town of Oxbow where I found this fine old train station on main drag.  I wish they could all be as well-kept as this one which now serves as an historical museum.   

September 16, 2023

Salem Lutheran Church and Cemetery near Kelvin, North Dakota.

Had spent the better part of the day exploring north-central North Dakota, an area rich in Scandinavian pioneer history.  But, before crossing the border into Manitoba for the night, I wanted to make one last stop to see this lovely country church in the Turtle Mountains.  The church was originally built at another location in 1914 but years later when the highway was established it was moved  to its present location in 1939 for easier access by the church parishioners.  Looks ever so good in the early evening light.               

September 17, 2023

A threshing machine on a hill overlooking some cows by a pond near East McHenry, North Dakota.

Another day out seeing the sights in north-central North Dakota.  Ample amounts of winter snow, spring rain and summer showers kept the landscape green and lush well into fall.  Lots for the domestic and wild animals to eat and drink...good for them.  Sometimes a simple view like this really does make my day. 

     

September 18, 2023

Stone and concrete sculptures near Brandon, Manitoba. 

Saw these last year but just had to take a few more photos of them.  As it turned out, this was my only photo stop of the day as I spent the remainder of it visiting my sister in Brandon.

September 19, 2023

Old Saint Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery near Gardenton, Manitoba.

A revisit I had been looking forward to since I first saw it last fall.  Old Saint Michael's was built 1897-1899 and was the first Ukrainian Greek Church in all of Canada.  My previous visit had been in the morning so, in order to get a different view of things, this time I stopped by for a late afternoon perspective.  A beautiful historic site that looks good anytime.      

September 20, 2023

Old Saint Elias Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Cemetery and Bell House at Sirko, Manitoba.

Deep in southeast Manitoba, only a mile north of the border, stands Old Saint Elias Church.  As well as the log church built circa 1908, there is a log bell house of traditional design and a large cemetery on the grounds.  It is said that the church is one of the best examples of Bukovynian architecture in all of Canada.  Definitely a "must-see" when traveling along Sunbeam School Road.   

September 21, 2023

Saint Peter Dynevor Anglican Church and Cemetery near East Selkirk, Manitoba.

A huge stone church built 1853-1854 on the eastern bank of the Red River that replaced a smaller church built nearby in 1836.  The new church faces towards the river, which would have been the main thoroughfare of the day.  Chief Peguis called this his home church.

  

September 22, 2023

Beach scene near Camp Veselka, Manitoba.

I had a few hours to explore the Gimli area before lunch with a friend in Winnipeg Beach.  My first stop was just north of town at a summer camp where there was an old church.  After taking some pictures I traveled a little further east where I could hear water splashing.  Soon a beach scene came into view...I was on the shore of Lake Winnipeg. 

     

September 23, 2023

Saint Michael's of Archangels Roman Catholic Church near Meleb, Manitoba.

A country church built in 1917-1918 by Polish settlers.  The church was named after the chief builder, Michael Gottfried and all the other pioneers named Michael.  That was a very popular name at the time.  The church closed to regular services in 1960 but is still maintained by a heritage committee.

September 24, 2023

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery at Maryville, Saskatchewan.

It seems I can't get enough of this old beauty.  Anytime I'm within a hundred miles of it I'll gladly make the detour to see it once again.  Mysterious, lonely, magnificent, solemn, abandoned...and all but forgotten.  

 

September 25, 2023

Carrot River Valley Lutheran Church and Cemetery near Carrot River, Saskatchewan.

The last photo stop of my trip...only about a mile off the main highway was this spartan but welcoming country church in a lovely autumnal setting.  Regular services every Sunday morning at 11:00.  Then I was on my way home.        

Happy trails to you!

You're My Best Friend

Buddies.  That pretty well says it all.

Photographed in Dunseith, North Dakota on September 16, 2023.