Bethel Lutheran in the Danvers District

An early morning drive from Dauphin on the John Bracken Highway through Riding Mountain National Park... 

My first stop was this glorious sign for Bethel Lutheran Church set against a field of blooming canola. 

Less than a mile away was this handsome church and cemetery...impeccably kept and obviously cherished by the descendants of the pioneers in the Danvers District of Manitoba.

The cornerstone...

...and a peek inside.

Friendly checkout at the motel and a delicious breakfast in Dauphin followed by a drive through the park where I saw black bears and deer...then a visit to Bethel Lutheran Church and Cemetery.  Great start to the day, don't you think?

Bethel Lutheran Church and Cemetery was photographed near Ditch Lake, Manitoba on July 25, 2022.

Leinan S.D. No. 314

My last stop on a five day road trip through southern Saskatchewan.

I wasn't sure if this one was still standing but as you can see from the photos it's not only still upright but in pretty good condition (considering it's been abandoned for fifty years).

I think someone didn't do so well in Spelling Class.

The overhang above the door and "wall of windows" are familiar features on many pioneer schoolhouses.

Photographed near Leinan, Saskatchewan on October 20, 2017.

Hecla School

I think this is the prettiest little schoolhouse I've seen anywhere on my travels.

The building is one hundred and one years old this year.  Many happy returns!  

Photographed in Hecla on Hecla Island, Manitoba on August 21, 2022. 

Jasman

Most every spring I take a drive into the country to see the Jasman School sign...a long time favourite.

A little more banter about it here: Jasman

Photographed near Juno, Alberta on April 11, 2023.

Morning Star School

A one-room schoolhouse near Burdett...

...set against a big blue Alberta sky.

Photographed on April 11, 2023.

The Turner House

A visit to the remains of The Turner House.

Steel braces hold up the two remaining walls.  

With a little luck they'll stay upright for a many more years.

Thanks to those who have taken some time out of their day to help preserve this ol' girl. 

Photographed near Cessford, Alberta on March 17, 2023.

The View from Here

A ranch sign south of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan near Spring Valley.  

The beautiful view made for an enjoyable drive through the countryside.

Photographed on October 26, 2017.

County of Forty Mile Sign

This impressive sign stands west of Seven Persons, Alberta along the Crowsnest Highway (Alberta Highway 3).  I've always been a fan of these big chunky wooden signs and the pronghorn logo is a nice tip of the hat to the abundant wildlife in the area.

Within the boundaries of the County of Forty Mile are Red Rock Coulee, Writing On Stone Provincial Park, Milk River Canyon, Etzikom Windmill Museum, several infamous towns and hamlets such as Manyberries, Nemiskam (or is that Nemiscam?) and Orion, a reservoir named Rattlesnake Lake, lots of wide open country and more.  Lots of cemeteries too.

It also has a port of entry named Aden that has the distinction of being the least used border crossing in all of the U.S.A.; less than 1200 crossings each year.

Let me digress for a moment...I'd been down in Montana for a few days and when looking on a map for a different route home I discovered the Aden border crossing.  So, after filling up with gas in Chester, Montana I headed north towards the border.  The well maintained gravel road soon became "the middle of nowhere" as it passed through a very isolated part of the American plains...gave a whole new meaning to the phrase "off the beaten track."  That said, the trip went well and when I reached the border crossing all the Canadian border guards rushed out to greet me.  I wasn't sure what to make of it until they let me know I was the first "new guy to cross the border in months."  Well, it made my day too!  Almost wished I'd had a bottle of champagne to give them for the celebration.  (Just a note, the Aden border crossing is mainly used by farmers in the area so a "new guy" crossing the border was a treat I'm sure.)  Now, back to Alberta and the County of Forty Mile... 

The southern side of the county offers some of the best views of the Sweet Grass Hills (which are just across the border in Montana) to be seen from Alberta...they are an especially beautiful sight at sunrise and sunset.

This sign is an invitation to all these things.  When you see it, turn south to take in all the sights of the county.  

Hope you enjoyed.

Photographed near Seven Persons, Alberta on August 5, 2017.

Skabo

As the crow flies...

About thirty-five miles southwest of Lac Qui Parle Church in southeastern Saskatchewan stands Skabo Lutheran Church on the flat plains of North Dakota.

The church was initially built by Norwegian settlers as a prairie school house in 1918.  In 1948 it was converted to a church where services were held until the 1980s at which time regular services ceased.  The interior of the church has been regularly maintained since its closure.

And in 2002 the church underwent an exterior restoration with much of the work being completed and funded by former parishioners and relatives of area settlers along with some hired help.  My visit here some fifteen years later revealed the church to still be in fine condition and the cemetery well tended.  

The name Skabo (pronounced ska-bow, emphasis on the "bow") comes from the homesteader's native city of Skabu, Norway.  Somehow the "u" was replaced with an "o" and the new name stuck.  The signs display both spellings of the name.

Thanks to the Williston Herald for helpful information regarding this pioneer church and cemetery.  And thanks again to those area residents who provided vital information about this and other churches, cemeteries, school houses and points of interest in Divide County, North Dakota.

Photographed near Grenora, North Dakota on October 27, 2017.

Move 'em Up, Head 'em Out

On my roundabout way from Brandon to Snowflake...

A ranch sign that instantly reminded me of watching reruns of "Rawhide" when I was a kid.

Those were the days.

Photographed near Boissevain, Manitoba on August 17. 2022.

Cossack School Sign

A handmade sign at the site of a one-room schoolhouse that opened in 1931.

The following is a direct quote regarding Cossack School from the book "Pioneering with a Piece of Chalk" by William Peter Baergen:

"Opened in January 1931 by Annie Sawchuk

(Antoniuk), who taught at this school from 1931

to 1937. There were 17 students from Grade 1–7.

By the spring, enrolment had increased to 24.

She lived alone in a 10’ x 12’ shack, which

caused her to become very lonely, to the point

of sickness. She visited each family on foot.

Closed in 1952."

The sign bears the names of Cossack's students, but not that of the teacher.

Photographed north of Smoky Lake, Alberta on September 20, 2021.