Buffing up on history . . .

The Municipality I work for is celebrating it's 125th Anniversary this year and I find myself serving on various committees.

One of these committees is the history committee where we are researching various buildings, landmarks, cemeteries and other interesting items from the past. Eventually displays and storyboards will be created for the anniversary day, but in the meantime I am having an interesting time learning about all the different histories and buildings.

The interesting rock display is reported to have been placed at the corner section to identify a traffic turnoff for local residents - works as good as a sign, doesn't it? It was supposedly erected by a local farmer who had three children and this is why there are three separate pieces. No one really knows for sure as the farmer is now gone and the children live elsewhere. Maybe we can catch up to a relative and get the real story . . .

This little barn was built in the early 1900's and sits alone in the middle of a field. On the other side of the barn it has the name "Maple Grove" and the date (which I don't have recorded!). The landowner is keeping it very well maintained and possibly even continues to use it for storage. Kinda weird seeing this sitting in the middle of nowhere - just a reminder of the past when these little red barns were actually used. I can't recall, in recent memory, when I last saw a new barn being built . . .

I call this house the "Gingerbread House". Look at the detailing on the edges! This is a big house compared to many of the same era - must have been a big family. I believe that this house may be slated for demolition this coming Spring . . . what a shame! They don't build them like this anymore.

Here is another local barn that is reported to be a fairly rare find in this area. The bottom half is made out of cement which, back in the era of it's construction, was not a very recognized method of construction. The longevity of it's existence, coupled with the current upright stature, are both testament to the construction practice used. Once again this is the only structure still standing on what was once a farm yard site (other than the little windmill which looks like it is missing a few upper pieces of it's structure!).

I love this little house! And I do mean little . . . it is one of the smallest houses I've seen in quite some time. When the kids were smaller I used to tell them that this was the house that we could afford to buy - something really small and not in very good condition.

It looks so abandoned, doesn't it? It was built on the edge of the creek, sheltered somewhat by old, scrubby oaks and has seen many, many cold Manitoba winters blow through it. You have to admire the way some forgotten farmer tried to board up the windows - even those have mostly rotted and fallen off.

The stories these old buildings could tell would be very interesting! I'm not even from this local area, but I do find the history of the cemeteries, folklore of the area and especially the old buildings very intriguing!

'til next time,

M.