Waseca, SK "The Little Village With a Big Heart".

We stopped at Waseca last June on our trip to Saskatoon. I'd taken photos of these elevators previously, however, since I like that they aren't painted and showing their age, I wanted to take some more. That's great for photography and shows up best in black and white, I think.

These elevators are privately owned. I ventured into one of the elevators to grab some shots. It seemed to be abandoned or at the very least, neglected. It made for some interesting photos. I'm sharing just a few here.

Wooden grain elevators in Waseca

The weigh station area

The elevator section

The vehicle tracks indicate usage

Memories of Plato 1905-1980

 We remembered Plato from a previous trip through this area and quickly stopped this past June (2013) to take another record shot of the standing elevator. The local residents have a written history of Plato. I've linked the section on grain handling here. If you click on the drop down menu you can go to other sections as well. An interesting read.

Lucky Lake, SK

Lucky Lake is a small village in central Saskatchewan that still has a standing wooden grain elevator. We stopped here on the way to Saskatoon this past June (2013) to take photos of the elevator and look at what the village has to offer. It looks like a village that still depends on the farmers and ranchers in the area for its existence. I imagine that oil workers are another source of income for the motel and restaurant in Lucky Lake. It was good to see another standing wooden grain elevator as so many are being torn down in the name of progress. This one looks like it's well used and in good shape.

Lacadena, SK

On our trip through the southern part of the province in June, 2013, we came across another Saskatchewan grain elevator that we hadn't seen before. This one is situated in the wide open prairies and seems out of place here. Apparently, this area was settled around the turn of the 20th century to farm and to ranch. There's some history online if you go here. It's a remote, tiny community. I took the usual photo of the elevator which shows it in total isolation.

It seems only fair that I also include a photo from further away to show that it is not entirely by itself and does have some life around it.
This is the nature of living in much of Saskatchewan--wide open spaces with much distance between neighbours. There is a sense of togetherness, nevertheless, as their very survival depends on helpful neighbours.

Kyle, SK

We came across another wooden grain elevator that is still standing and in use. It's in Kyle, Saskatchewan. This hamlet has a population of around 400 residents and is situated in the southwestern part of the province. It was a sunny day when we drove through this June (2013). We stopped long enough so that I could grab a few photos. It was a relief to see that another one of these prairie icons is still standing in Saskatchewan.

Birsay, SK

We made a point of exploring some less driven roads in Saskatchewan this past June (2013) and came upon some grain elevators we hadn't seen before--like this one in Birsay. This hamlet near Lucky Lake, SK has a population of about 45 residents. It strikes me as amazing that the grain elevator still stands in this secluded section of the province. When I took this photo it was evident that the elevator was still being used. Wonderful!

White Bear, SK

We just made another trip to Saskatchewan and found some more elevators to add to the collection. This one in White Bear, Saskatchewan, is not easy to get to as it's on a gravel road. The elevator is listing badly and looks like it could fall down at any moment. It represents the dying off of wooden grain elevators. In spite of the decrepit condition of this elevator, it makes a great photo. I've added some effects to accentuate the lines and the vast blue sky.

Rockglen, SK

We stopped at Rockglen this past June (2012) on our way through southern Saskatchewan. We had something to eat and drink and were amazed that a village could survive in such an isolated area. Farming and ranching is likely what keeps the village going. I searched for Rockglen and came across a YouTube video of collected photos and memorabilia of Rockglen. It's 10 minutes long, so unless you're from the area you might find it a bit long. At the 7 minute mark, or so, are some great photos of Rockglen from a distance putting it's location in perspective.
One wooden grain elevator is still standing-- a visual reminder of days gone by.

Neville, Saskatchewan

According to Wikipedia, Neville is a small village of around 70 citizens and is located on Highway 43. Neville remains a viable community renowned for its low cost of living, negligible crime rate, stargazing and bird watching opportunities, clean air and sunshine.

I had to snicker when I read the description of the village, particularly the part about the "negligible crime rate". With only 70 inhabitants it would be hard not to know who did the crime, I'd think.

In any case, a grain elevator still graces the horizon at Neville. It was pouring rain when we found this elevator, so I took the photo out of the car window. Taken in June of 2012.

Limerick, SK

The village of Limerick, Saskatchewan, was named after a place in Ireland. It's population is about 130 inhabitants.
In June, 2012 we drove into Limerick to take photos of the grain elevator that's still standing there. It seems like it's out in the middle of nowhere, but that's typical for much of southern Saskatchewan.
The joke about being able to watch your dog run away from home for days must have originated here somewhere. :>)
It's good to see that the elevator still stands and appears to be in use by the local farmers.

Kenaston, Saskatchewan

 I've posted a blog and photo of Kenaston previously. I thought it worthwhile to take updated photos of the grain elevators in this village of about 250 inhabitants. It looks much the same as it did about ten years ago. The large snowman still stands near elevator row. I'm not sure if that's meant to attract tourists, but each town or village seems to be erecting a large this or that to attract people to the area. Nowadays, with the ever-decreasing number of wooden grain elevators still in existence they, perhaps, will be the tourist draw in the near future. That might be incentive to keep them and convert those no longer being used to restaurants, hotels, or whatever might be an attraction. This may prove to be too costly to build and run, but the idea is worth considering and has been considered, I'm sure. I guess once us older folks are gone, the younger ones won't have the memories we do and it will eventually only be folklore that keeps memories of prairie grain elevators alive.

Kayville, SK

We drove through Kayville this past June and were surprised to see a grain elevator still standing, a church that looked to be well-maintained, and only a few houses. I checked online and Kayville closed it's remaining businesses in 2004. Apparently there are only 6 adults and one child still residing there. This is likely an example of the urbanization of Saskatchewan, very much like the rest of the country and the world. There are farms around but they, too, have dwindled in numbers as they became bigger and bigger. The history of homesteading in the area is typical of western Canada at the turn of the last century.
The one plus, I suppose, is that I got another Saskatchewan grain elevator photo to post and to treasure.  As you can see from the photo of the elevator it is totally isolated and, were it not for the neighbouring grain farmers, there'd be nothing left to see other than the flat prairie landscape.

Gravelbourg, SK

Gravelbourg was established in 1906 and at one time had nine grain elevators to serve the many farmers in the area. Here's a link to the history of this very French town in south central Saskatchewan. It apparently has been dubbed "little Europe" due to the strong European influence of the original settlers.
I've included two photos I took in June (2012) when we drove to Gravelbourg to see the Cathedral and to have dessert and coffee in "Little Paris" Cafe.

Davidson, Saskatchewan

Davidson sits about half-way between Saskatoon and Regina. It used to be a fairly major trading centre before transportation improved and the four-lane highway was built, by-passing the town. The population is dropping and is below 1,000 inhabitants as of 1996. There are still some wooden grain elevators standing that are being used. I've posted photos of Davidson's elevators before on this blog, but thought I'd post the one I took this summer by "painting" it using a photoshop plug-in.

I'm also posting a photo from the restaurant at the south-end of Davidson where we usually stop for coffee. It's a great pit-stop when traveling between the two cities. I like the way they've decorated the restaurant by placing older furniture and items in various corners to give the impression of times past.

Craik: Friendliest Place by a Dam Site

My title is the title of a book written about Craik in 1985 and posted online. Click here if you'd like to have a look. Craik is a village located about an hour's drive north of Regina, the capital city of Saskatchewan. Drive another hour and a half and you're in the largest city in Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. Craik's elevator is still standing and looks to be in use by the local farmers. We drove by it on our way from Saskatoon to Regina in June and quickly grabbed this photo before this grain elevator, too, disappears.
(I need to pay more attention to my previous posts, as I see I've already included this one.)

Rockglen

We stopped to eat at Rockglen on our way through southern Saskatchewan this past June. First, we had to take some photos of the grain elevator that still stands there. The countryside was more rolling just around the village, giving the small hills prominence on the otherwise flat prairies. I've added a link to go to if you wish to learn more about this village and its history.
I've discovered a neat photo editing program that's free online. I played with my photo of Rockglen and quite like the results. See if you agree.

Coronach, Saskatchewan

This past June we made a point of traveling through part of southern Saskatchewan. Any grain elevators we saw along the way meant stopping to take their photos. The town of Coronach is probably the furthest south we got as this town is only 10 kms north of the Canada/US border. The link I've included tells how this small town almost died out but was rejuvenated when the Poplar River Power Project began nearby in 1974. The countryside is wide open and prone to high winds and dry, hot weather. I'm glad I didn't have to farm there, but I admire those that settled there and those that are still there. There are two elevators in Coronach and they look like they're still in use. Just like the "old days".

Chamberlain, Saskatchewan

Chamberlain is the only town or village on the way from Regina to Saskatoon that one has to drive through. All the other places are routed past the populated centres. I don't know the reason for this, but it certainly is of benefit to the small village of about 100 residents. It's also at the junction of the highway to Moose Jaw. And, it still has its wooden grain elevator. It's as though time has stopped still here. And, since it forces traffic to slow down to 50 kmh many travelers, including truckers, stop there for a coffee or a pit stop.
I finally got a photo of this elevator this past June. I'm posting it for the first time on this blog. It's obvious by the whited out area on the side of the elevator that it's no longer a POOL elevator. It's not clear who owns it but SaskTel either owns it or pays someone to advertise on it. Interesting "billboard".

Bladworth, Saskatchewan

We drove by Bladworth again this June (2012) and I thought I'd update my photo of the elevator still standing. I like the gravel road and the telephone poles all leading towards the elevator. I took this shot from a ways back to give a sense of perspective and relative distance that's so common on the wide open prairies.
In my research of Bladworth I found a history book of the village that's been scanned and put online. It's a fun read with lots of photos. If you're a history buff it's an interesting find. It's easy to navigate by using the drop-down menu to pick a section or photos, etc.

Bengough, SK

 Bengough is another southern Saskatchewan town that still has an elevator remaining to mark its existence along the flat rolling plains. We stopped in Bengough to ask how to get to the Big Muddy Badlands. We only had to drive another 20 kms south and we were there. If you want to see part of the world that seems to be in the middle of nowhere, this is worth the drive. Only an hour and a half south of Regina and about half an hour north of the Montana border and you're in Begough.
Here's how the grain elevators looked in June, 2012.