New Occupants at the Old Cole Ranch

Nice

summer

day

in

the

pasture.

This monument is near Dollard, Saskatchewan and is in memory of "a lot of fine horses" that were members of the Cole Ranch family between the years 1912 and 1979.  That's a pretty sweet memorial.

On the day I took photos of the monument the cattle were over the ridge so...the next day I thought I'd try again and this time luck was on my side.  They were enjoying a "nice summer day in the pasture" and weren't camera shy in the least.

Monument photographed on July 11, 2019.
Animals photographed on July 12, 2019.

Morning Star School

This not so little pioneer school sits on the edge of a farmer's field south of Burdett, Alberta.

I talked with a local man and he said it was originally faced with brick and that his dad had gone to school here.  After the school closed it was reinforced to be used as a granary but now sits empty.

A friend had mentioned to me that the sign was missing last time he had been here.  I think someone had just taken the metal sign to be refinished because now it looks like new.

The building is in its last stage of retirement.

The latest tenant.

The bell tower and flagpole are still intact.

Photographed on May 29, 2019.

The Leaves are Falling

Fall is here...

...and the leaves are everywhere.

So far the wind hasn't blown many leaves onto the side patio.

Of course most of the leaves gather where everyone comes and goes.

This is Josie...

...and this is Oliver.  I kitty-sit these two on a regular basis which means I'm their "on demand" cuddler and doorman.  They're both pretty sweet in their own way.  We have a bond.  

Photographed on September 23, 2018.

Handsome Little Guy

A child's headstone in the Tyvan Cemetery just outside of Tyvan, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on December 14, 2018.

The Elevators in Turner

A couple of classic wooden elevators in Turner, Montana.

The identification on both wooden elevators is in poor condition to say the least but it looks as though they were both owned by the International Elevator Company at some time.  The logo combines the word "International" at the top, the words "Feed" and "Seed" on either side of a stylized wheat grain head within a circle and the phrase "The Co-op Way" written around the lower half of the circle.  Both elevators have the logo while only one says "International."  Hmmm...does this qualify me as an elevator geek?

Across the road and down a bit is this considerably larger "Equity Co-op Association" elevator which is now privately owned (I talked to the man who owns it) and still in use.

The Turner train station.  The train tracks were pulled up long ago.

And last but not least, the old service station on main drag.  The sign above the door advertises "60 Day Free Ride Monroe-matic Shock Absorbers and Load Levellers."  Buy yours today!

Photographed on October 21, 2018.

Some School Signs

February 22, 2019

A small collection of pioneer school signs mostly in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Above:  Rolly Point School was west of Hilda, Alberta and about five miles east of the South Saskatchewan River. The sun was at just the right angle to make the snow sparkle.

July 11, 2019

On my way to Eastened this past summer I found the Beaver Dam School sign.  The ghost town of Sidewood, Saskatchewan would have been the closest settlement at the time.

October 13, 2017

The colours are a little faded but I think the sign painter was a John Deere fan.  Saint Clair School was near Simmie, Saskatchewan.

February 22, 2019

Selz School was east of Liebenthal, Saskatchewan and right next door to the Great Sand Hills.  Love the prominent shadow on the snow-filled ditch in this one.

October 25, 2018

This brick monument to Pioneer Grove School is near Eston, Saskatchewan in the R.M. of Snipe Lake.  There has been so much soil erosion here that the base of the sign is now above ground.

October 17, 2017

The Beautiful Plains School sign is east of Drinkwater, Saskatchewan along the Trans Canada Highway.

December 16, 2018

Large modelled wood lilies stand on either side of the Flinton School monument.  Handsworth, Saskatchewan is the nearest ghost town.

June 11, 2017

Lodi School was south of Hilda, Alberta.  There are many variations of this style of school sign in and around the area.  See Rolly Point School School (above) and Ehman School (below) for a comparison.  I was just quick enough to catch a shot of live birds sitting on the H and O.

December 12, 2017

Between Saint Anthony's Church and Saint Anthony's Cemetery near Grosswerder, Saskatchewan was Palm School.  This is a prevalent sign design for pioneer schools.  Usually they are simply painted black but this one has all the letters and numbers painted a creamy-yellow colour.

December 16, 2018

A stone monument to the Menard School located about midway between Viewfield and Benson, Saskatchewan.

July 14, 2018

Ehman School was northwest of Hilda, Alberta.  I've seen the name of this one listed as "Eh Man" in a few books...a sense of humour?

May 29, 2019

My all-time favourite school sign: Jasman School.  Someone dedicated their time to handcraft this one-off design and I thank them for their spark of imagination.  I wonder, (a) if those are the crows from Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" and, (b) if I watch too many thrillers?

December 18, 2018

This is the odd one out in this collection as it's the only one from North Dakota.  I came across the sign near the town of Corinth and the sun had all but set.  As with many signs in this part of the country, the Liberty School sign is rich with decorative wrought-iron curlicues.  Whenever I see scrollwork in a sign's design it reminds me of North Dakota...and that's a good thing.

South Saint Olaf Church and Cemetery

"What's the purpose of your visit?" asked the young lady at the Noonan, North Dakota border crossing.

As soon as I mentioned I was going to spend the day photographing old churches and cemeteries her face both brightened up and relaxed a little.  She immediately began offering suggestions of places to visit nearby.  The first one she mentioned was South Saint Olaf Church and Cemetery where her parents had been married and where she had loved ones that had been laid to rest.

"Enjoy your trip," she said.

That was an undeniably warm welcome to North Dakota on an otherwise cool and overcast day in late November.

Above is the ornate gate that leads into the churchyard.  Most of the old Lutheran churches I've seen in the area have a similarly styled gate.

Even though it was late morning there was still a light covering of frost on the trees.

I love the eight-sided steeple and all the individual roof elements.

The view from the cemetery.

The cemetery has been in use for over one hundred years.

The walls of the church are entirely finished with decorative tin panels.

A particularly appealing altar that looks as good as new.

The church seated about ninety people comfortably.  All of the windows were covered with "pebbled" glass.

Looking south from the churchyard.

One last look and it was time to go.

This part of the county is named Harmonious Township.

Photographed on November 24, 2018.