Dec 292011
 

There are literally hundreds of towns that no longer exist in this province.  Many are nothing more than a name on the map and some aren’t even on the maps anymore.  There are very few true ghost towns in Saskatchewan.  I define a ghost town as a site that has at least a half dozen buildings remaining but not a single resident.  The town featured below doesn’t quite fit into what I would consider a ghost town because there are still a few residents however there are less than 10 people living in this town that was once home to around 200 residents at its peak.  The town has become popular and people are coming out to see it due to media attention over the past year and that has also brought pickers and vandals.  I have been aware of the town for several years but never took the time to stop by until this fall.  We found a very decrepit hotel, a town hall, and several houses.  We were watched closely by one resident who has gotten tired of the trouble that the media attention has caused, he finally approached us to ensure we weren’t damaging anything or taking anything.  After speaking with him for several minutes and seeing our professional photo gear he decided we were no harm to the place and only warned us to stay out of the buildings.  I find it kind of humorous because he is tired of people coming out there however he is responsible for the media attention that the town received in the first place.  I am a firm believer that the places that we visit need to be kept anonymous to protect them and that is why we always protect their true identities unless it is a location that is gone all together.  Enjoy the nameless ghost town.

1
Looking down Railway Avenue

2
The former school

3
Town hall

4
Inside the town hall

5
Rental rates for the hall – however there is no power to the hall and it hasn’t been used in some time.

6
This town hall has one of the nicer kitchens I have seen in a rural hall

7
The bar in the hall

8
The back alley behind the hall with some other abandoned houses near by

9
The hotel – by the looks of things it won’t be standing all that much longer

10
Sidewalk leading up to the hotel

11
Back of the hotel – most of the top floor is without a roof

12
One side of the hotel – I believe this was the lobby and perhaps a restaurant

13
The bar is on the other side with collapsed roof

14
This massive safe was in the hotel – considering the state of the hotel I am surprised the floor can still hold this safe.

 Posted by at 23:57