Saturday, December 18, 2021

Charles School


Charles School still holds its own in the prairie landscape.


Don't let the snow in the ditch fool you...it was +15°C.


Photographed near Nemiscam, Alberta on November 28, 2021.

Friday, December 17, 2021

Pendant d'Oreille Cemetery


A pioneer cemetery in remote southeastern Alberta with the Sweet Grass Hills of Montana in the distance. 

Photographed near Pendant d'Oreille, Alberta on November 25, 2016.

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Ainsley S.D. No. 4274


Ainsley School stands alone in a vast expanse of farmland.





Ainsley is sometimes written as "Ainslee."

Photographed near Eyre, Saskatchewan on November 5, 2021.

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

The Kraft Family Farm

Going out for a drive in the country you never know what you'll see around the next corner.  


This monument looks great all covered in frost.


A Century Family Farm Award for the Kraft Family who established their farm in 1906.


Photographed near Tramping Lake, Saskatchewan on December 13, 2021.

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Hilldrop S.D. No. 1348


Hilldrop School was built in 1906 with lumber hauled in on horse drawn carts from Prince Albert, some thirty-five miles east...a four day round trip.  


The school opened later that same year under the tutelage of Miss Mary Bird...


...and after fifty-three years in operation closed in 1959.  Mrs. Alva Senum was the last teacher.  

In 1980 the school was restored during the Celebrate Saskatchewan provincial seventy-fifth anniversary and was later designated a Saskatchewan Heritage site in 1985.


Information courtesy of the Saskatchewan One Room School House Project website.

Photographed near Cameo, Saskatchewan on October 25, 2019.

Monday, December 13, 2021

Saint Mary's near Derwent


Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery near Derwent, Alberta.


Only on a few occasions have I seen a cemetery located near a body of water. Water always makes the scene a little more alluring, don't you think?


All of the grave markers are situated along the lower south side of the church grounds.


The church has recently received a fresh coat of paint.  (Thank you kind people.)


In the age old Catholic tradition, a large crucifix stands near the church.


Looks like the painters couldn't quite reach the bell tower.  Hopefully they'll get to it next year.


Photographed on September 22, 2021.

Sunday, December 12, 2021

Co-operation S.D. No. 3482


A pioneer school sign near Square Hill, Saskatchewan.


I found a few other similarly designed school signs in the area and at first I thought they were rather generic but, au contraire, each sign was unique in depicting the distinctive architecture of the school honoured at that site.   


Photographed across the road from Saint Michael's Greek Orthodox Church and Cemetery on October 24, 2019.

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Spots


A fawn resting on the neighbour's lawn.  


This little guy (or girl) would be about two months old.

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on August 11, 2021.

Friday, December 10, 2021

Brixton S.D. No. 4614


Many of the one-room school locations in this part of southwest Saskatchewan have been marked with a sign.  


This is one of the more unique designs I've come across recently.


Nice view too.

Photographed south of Tompkins, Saskatchewan on November 18, 2021.

Thursday, December 09, 2021

Roseflat S.D. No. 3596


A one room school near Fox Valley, Saskatchewan.


The lower section of siding has been stripped off the south side of the building.


From this angle it looks a little less ravaged (by time and people).


And this is the angle a young student just starting school would see it from...probably a little intimidating to a six-year old.


Photographed on November 5, 2021.