Peeling Paint and Lace Curtains

The old farm we’ll be touring with you here was last occupied in the 1990s but is little changed from the early days. Electricity? What’s that? Warmth came from an impressive wood stove and a dirty old oil heater. Cooking took place on that same wood stove. There wasn’t even a phone until very late in the game. Gotta some business to do? No indoor plumbing here folks…ever…head out back to the biffy…so much fun in a rain storm! The daily ride is an ancient grain truck, used until fairly recently. Everything is old school.

Inside and out, remains of everyday life have been left behind, stuff that once belonged to those who lived here not all that long ago. Books are filed away on a shelf, dirty old clothes hang on hooks. A row of work boots are at the ready. Keys are in the truck. It’s like they just up and left one day. Little touched by vandals, even most windows are intact (lace curtains too!). It’s a strange time capsule farm, mostly untouched and a peek into something incredible – how it was back them, seen with the eyes of today.

Peeling Paint and Lace Curtains: an old farm that seems stuck in time. Researched, Written and Photographed by Chris Doering and Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd)

A reminder, this place is on private property. We’ve been asked to stress that. Do to concerns of vandals and thieves they’ve also requested we be vague in speaking of the location so that it doesn’t get overrun. Let’s just say it’s up that way in Northern Alberta. Ditto when it comes to the names of those who called it home, and the details of their being. On that we have to be silent. It’s a worry that what we say might allow people to uncover the location via research. What you see here is the “loose lips sinks ships” effect. We’re forced to NOT write much in the way of a history in order to protect a site from unwanted trouble. That’s so damn wrong on a million different levels, but is the reality of it all.

Abandoned Farm Alberta

Old, tired, peaceful…

Here’s what we know, here’s what we can say…

The farm dates from around 1910(ish), give or take a couple years, this being around the time the general area was opened up for large scale settlement. The house, it’s thought, but not confirmed, came from a catalogue firm such as Eaton’s. We looked and could not find it in any volumes we searched, but saw some that looked sort of close. Anyway, yes you could get a mail-order kit home you, your friends and your family could put together yourself. The barn may have also been supplied similarly. Other outbuildings appear to have been made on site from logs sourced nearby – the area was once heavily treed but is now a mix of fields and woods. Other sheds are more modern.

Scroll down for more photos and to comment.

The house is modest in proportions, with two rooms on the main floor, a large kitchen and smaller living room. An attached back-porch type room is found off the kitchen door. Upstairs are three bedrooms, one large and two small. A door leads outside to the upper porch. Everything is simple and humble, if not a bit cramped for space. It strikes us odd that there’s no light switches on the wall, nor fixtures on the ceiling. Lanterns or lamps till the end? That’s so 1920s! Paint, in many funky shades and colours, flakes off the walls. Each successive layer takes us further back in time. Green was ’78. Yellow, the year the flood came. Blue/grey, a fresh coat in celebration of a bumper crop.

The good sized stove seen is a McClary, from back east in Ontario. This company was a prolific maker and quite common out there in the wild. This is a Kootenay Model (circa 1920s?). The weight of it is causing the floor to buckle. The place has been deteriorating fast, it seems, since the last souls moved out, which we’re witness to it here. Before long it might be in the crawl space. Just cringe thinking of the spiders down there. That red couch and chair – retro!

Just to the left is the most modern thing seen here, strange and out of place, a phone line and jack. A work order is found showing the connection to the outside world was not put in until the latter half 1980s. No phone till then? Wow! It was not in use long either as soon after being put in, the people moved out. Looks like it was sudden too – you know what that means.

Fast forward a few years, to the early 1990s, and the place is empty, having never been updated nor renovated. Strange. Even though it’s been vacant for some quarter century, the place feels older, looks older, and seems far more weathered and worn than it should be. Being unloved has a way of accelerating age I guess.

On old gas-engine powered washing machine sits on the front porch. Looks like some of those coveralls seen in the photos could use a good scrub. Beside is a three legged chair. It almost looks staged.

A 1948-50 era Dodge trucks sits in a shed. The last registration papers found tell us it was used into the 1990s. It looks complete and in reasonable shape, if one ignores the bird poop everywhere. The keys were in the ignition. Just drive it away!

All manner of metal was scattered about the farm yard. Lots of danger here. Old farm equipment, wagons, and so on, it was all piled up here and there. In one outbuilding a metal forge was found telling us someone here was a blacksmith. What looks to be a clay lined oven or furnace sits in another part of the yard. Was it connected to the working of metal or was it simply for cooking? Experts, we’re looking at you! A home for Fido is found nearby. Remember when the family dog lived outside?

In another shed the water pump is found. once belt driven off a small engine, the well directly below. Dovetail joints on these outbuildings tells us who ever made them was reasonably competent with an axe. In the area it’s not odd to find log sheds and such.

Dense brush is all about and in places the Caraganas grow so thick that passage is almost impossible. That hardy plant was formerly used for windbreaks and the like, in the old days, but once allowed to grow at will, soon takes over. In most areas they’re considered an invasive species, and are non-native having originally been brought over by early settlers coming in from Eurasia. When these and all the many trees on the property green up, the house will sort of get swallowed up by the jungle and disappear.

Old Farm Alberta

The farm is around a century old.

We picture what it was like to live as though a pioneer but in modern times. We’ll wear the boots…and soon find it’s not for us. The thought of roughing it, as they did here was too strange a concept so instead of accepting, we kept going back to the why of it all. Why didn’t they have electricity, why didn’t they have indoor plumbing, why this, why that. They lacked everything we take for granted today. Tough resilient folks called this rickety old farm house home. Yet it seemed to work for them.

By their standards, we’re all living like kings.

Across the road, in an even denser grove of trees and brush was a second farm. Just a house remains along with some stone gate supports. We found the history on it, but might have to leave it for another time.

Joining us this trip is view camera aficionado Rob Pohl. He’s supplied some photos used in this article, all captured with his “Ebony” camera. It looks old fashioned but in fact is modern in construction (a work of art if you ask us) and uses these giant sheets or film, which he processes himself in his own darkroom. Each shot requires a huge amount of set up – check the light, check focus, move the lens this way and that (“tilting and shifting”), refocus, light check again, followed by a multi-minute exposure. No snap shots here…but watching it play out is pure magic. We’re always in awe each time we hang with him. The dedication! The lost skills! We feel like such hacks!

We’re part of the film fraternity too and brought our 35mm along but ended up not using it that much. We were so caught up in the excitement and energy of this shoot, and what an amazing subject it was, that we simply forgot. It just hung there, off a nail which we ran around snapping away in the digital. All film users reading this are no doubt shaking their heads disapprovingly. Okay, we won’t let it happen again.

Interesting bits: not counting time to photograph and photo processing, this article took over ten man hours to compile. Lots of phone calls, huge time spend scouring papers and books – all for a few snippets of info, not all of which we could end up sharing with you. So much work for so little and then most of it thrown out! I wish could write about these places without having to worry doing so will ruin them.

More abandoned farms and farm houses…
CPR Demonstration Farm.
1915 Cement House.
Grist Mill Farm.
The Stone House.

If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!

Date: November, 2016.
Location: Smoky Lake County AB.
Article references (and thanks): Local history books, Donald F, Rob Pohl.
This farm is on private property. BIGDoer.com visited with permission.

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Forgotten Farm Alberta

Peeling paint and lace curtains.

Farm Blacksmith

We know the fellow was a blacksmith – connected with that?

Abandoned Farm Kitchen

Lived in until the 1990s, the place is pretty much original.

McClary Kootenay Stove

Old stove details.

Old Farm House

Weathered wood, amazing textures.

Farm Kitchen Wood Stove

The phone line and jack (right on wall) seem a bit out of place.

Abandoned Farm House Alberta

Heavy brush and trees means come spring, the place will be hard to see.

Farm House Kitchen

That green!

Farm House Window

Looking out the back kitchen window.

MacLeod's Catalogue

MacLeod’s was a big catalogue retailer back when – 1962 edition.

Abandoned Barn

A fine barn.

Farm Water Pump

The water pump was driven by a small engine.

Dovetail Log Building

To do a dovetail joint took great skill.

1940s Dodge Pickup

This Dodge (1948-1950 model) was used into the ’90s – keys were inside.

Junk Metal Abandoned Farm

Lots of old junk metal in this yard.

Old Farm Dog House

A home for Fido.

Old Wagon Wheel

In the junk pile…

Abandoned Farm Interior

Like they just up a left…

Vintage Suitcase

Lots of interesting stuff here.

Intact Abandoned Farm

Coveralls, work shirts and boots at the ready.

Old Farm House Interior

One of three small bedrooms upstairs.

Forgotten Farm House

Door leads to the upper balcony.

Connie @ BIGDoer.com

Connie in a candid moment.

Farm Blacksmith Shop

View from the smithy.

Farm House Old Calendar

Allis-Chalmers Calendar, 1968.

Old Farm House Details

Little details…

Farm Outhouse

The “facilities”.

View Camera

Our 35mm and Rob’s “Ebony” – scroll down for “his shot”.

Picturesque Abandoned Farm

It’s one of the most picturesque farm houses we’ve explored.

Gas Powered Washing Machine

Centre, a gas engine driven washing machine.

Abandoned Farm Yard

View from the fields.

Batman and Robin Comic

A little light reading.

Log Farm Outbuilding

Many of the outbuildings were of log construction.

Abandoned Farmyard

One last look before we’re on the way.

Abandoned Farm in Alberta

Nearby, a second abandoned farm house.

The following photos came from Rob Pohl’s view camera. His website is well worth a visit: http://robertspohl.blogspot.ca/.

Rob Pohl Film (2)

Shot on film – courtesy and copyright Rob Pohl.

Rob Pohl Film (3)

Shot on film – courtesy and copyright Rob Pohl.

Rob Pohl Film (5)

Shot on film – “his shot” – courtesy and copyright Rob Pohl.

Rob Pohl Film (6)

Shot on film – courtesy and copyright Rob Pohl.

110 responses

  1. Brittany Johnson says:

    help! want to view this but says i need to register or login no matter how many times i login!!!

  2. Storms Photography says:

    Literally brings tears to my eyes to see this preserved moment in time! ~ Absolutely wonderful – untouched (as it should be). Wonderful photos! ~ Aye – thank you for sharing 🙂

  3. DaynaK says:

    Awesome shots and great article ! I still want your job !! lol

    • Thank you so much. It’s great fun doing this, we get to see amazing things, we hang with interesting people, learn so much, and over all it’s about as good as it gets. There is long hours too – but I can live with it. The pay, however, stinks.

  4. Amber Sandberg says:

    The first time I viewed this website I thought it was a complete mess with no focus. I have just finished reading over a huge number of your posts and I understand it now. I can’t even describe it. You guys are good.

    • Interestingly we take a lot of “heat” for documenting too wide an array of subjects. A lot of people say we should focus. No way, we chronicle what we like, as long as it interests us. Thanks for getting it. Big thanks.

  5. Ryan Wunsch says:

    Incredible photos!

  6. Lila Cugini says:

    Very interesting, love the photos. I am happy to see there are still a few of these untouched relics of history still in the province. Hopefully, this gem will stay hidden from the looters and thieves for many years to come. Thank you for sharing your story.

  7. Angela says:

    Well done, Chris and Connie. I would love to be a guest shooter on one of your jaunts.

  8. Gerry Pocha says:

    Bravo! Amazing and a big congrats, this is your best work ever.

    • Our best? That’s a tough call. I feel it’s one of the best however but we’re hard on ourselves. I should shut up – no, we’re flattered you said that.

  9. Joan Grace Robinson says:

    (via Facebook)
    David Suzukis dream home ..I for one don’t want to go back living like that ..lol!

  10. Shirley Leadbetter says:

    They don,t make them like that any more, my father always had Dodge or Fargo, tougher than nails…thanks Lloyd.

    • In that era, indeed, they were tough as nails. Simple, rugged, easy to work on – a perfect trifecta if one’s a farmer. Back them a truck needed all those qualities. Lloyd, using another’s profile?

  11. Heather Loewenhardt says:

    Love the (truck) image with that pop of red!

  12. Lynn Hetherington says:

    I remember those neat old trucks where the hood went up on both sides.

  13. Alan Robilliard says:

    Would love to have the old truck!

  14. Lynn Hetherington says:

    (via Facebook)
    Oh wow, love old buildings that still have furniture in them.

  15. Gioocean Cardill says:

    Lv it Chris and Connie!!!! This is Ryan Wunsch good!!!!

  16. Dawn West says:

    Peeling Paint and Lace Curtains… there’s a country song in there somewhere.

  17. Pierre Pam Schaub says:

    Great story, fabulous photos. And hats off to you in keeping the location secret!

  18. Jim Bilodeau says:

    Chris have you ever thought of giving photographic tours over the summer?

  19. Christine Didur says:

    (via Facebook)
    1990 seems just yesterday!

  20. Joe Chowaniec says:

    Simply amazing … love the photos with the clothes still hanging in the closest.

  21. Michelle Hutton says:

    (via Facebook)
    Amazing as always Chris!

  22. Darrel Clark says:

    (via Facebook)
    Like the story of this old home thanks Chris and Connie.

  23. Stephen Martelli says:

    (via Facebook)
    Let’s see, a couple of nails and a coat of paint and she’ll be good for another 5 years! Lol!

  24. Ghost Town Hunters says:

    Shared to Ghost Town Hunters!

  25. Kyla Black says:

    (via Facebook)
    Loved reading the article and the photos are awesome – what a great old place, thanks for sharing!

  26. Arnie Taylor says:

    I lived like that n the 70’s. I dunno, theres something about this old stuff that I find romantic.

  27. Rod Dunn says:

    Loved the complete article ! Great story !! Thanks !

  28. Diane Hansma says:

    I just love this! It is almost like you can go back, and imagine the simplicity and hard working life! Pure and unscathed!

  29. Lorraine Gach says:

    So intriguing! Love it! Where is it located?

    • Thanks for taking the time to visit our little corner of the Internet. I’m afraid we’re unable to share locations. It’s done to protect the site. Sorry.

  30. Owen Kyme says:

    (via Facebook)
    Amazing photos Chris and Connie! Really interesting to see how some folks made do with what they had, especially into the mid 80’s and early 90’s. Wow!

  31. David A. Fishel says:

    Love the blog and the photos!! Great work Chris & Connie!!!

  32. Nicole says:

    This is amazing! I can only imagine the pure excitement and joy of exploring this place. If only the walls could talk! Beautiful pictures.

  33. Rebecca Carr says:

    Would love to go with you both sometime. What awesome finds!

  34. Paula-Jo Flemming says:

    (via Facebook)
    Great photos and article ! I hope no one wrecks it.

  35. Jonny Gunter says:

    Wouldn’t a wood stove burn up?

  36. BW Bandy says:

    Great post. You make more than a few of us jealous with these excursions.

    • Thanks for the comment. We’ll do something collaborative soon enough. Had to spend most of this month writing, but April should be for exploring. We’ll be in touch.

  37. Lorene Kimura says:

    Read the article – it was very interesting. It is too bad that people have made it necessary to hide some of our provinces incredible history.

  38. Sylvia Meier says:

    (via Facebook)
    Incredible! Makes me feel like I was there alongside you.

  39. Robert Boyd says:

    And I thought the people who owned the farm I grew up on before my family bought it were primitive! They never got indoor plumbing until 1954, and we still had a wood stove, an oil stove, and a wringer washer.

  40. Barrie Geosits says:

    (via Facebook)
    May not have had the modern amenities but I am sure there are great memories. Thank you for sharing.

  41. Cody Kapcsos says:

    (via Facebook)
    Just amazing!

  42. Elida Garcia says:

    This is awesome, there’s even a chair in the front porch…

  43. Jonelle Dunkley says:

    Beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing.

  44. Rob Pohl says:

    That was a fantastic day spent together last fall. You guys did a super job, as usual, researching it and presenting it. I’m just glad I could be a small part of the process with my photographs.

  45. Mark Couldwell says:

    I see a lot of places like this, in Canada and all around the states. I really should take some time out, and take some pictures, some times the land around is also very interesting, old cars, tractors and stuff left in the garages and gardens.

  46. Kimberlee Larrabee says:

    Um … looks kind of creepy – but I am sure someone loved it once.

  47. Peg Strankman says:

    I see these houses and want to make them a home. Solar and wind power? Idle wondering what it would cost or if they could be brought back.

    • I think this one is too far gone to help. Still, it’s interesting how they lived off the grid here, which is now what many dream of. Full circle!

  48. Bernard Nemeth says:

    (via Facebook)
    The place I grew up in had a coal stove. And one of my first chores as a young boy was to make sure the coal pails were kept full.

  49. It’s amazing that the place is in such well preserved condition. Good on you for not disclosing anything about where it is. Scavengers would be all over it.

    It looks like they got phone service – finally – but never had any power. Since the phone lines are powered by the phone company, the phone would work regardless.

    Great report as always!

    • Yes, pickers are a HUGE problem. That they had a phone blew me away. Not that it wouldn’t be expected in most places, but rather that it was the only (fairly) modern element in the house and that it took them so long to get one. These guy were the poster child for being off the grid.

  50. Bernie says:

    Once again, thank you for all the work involved in bringing this piece of history to us. This tugs at my heartstrings, as this is the environment I grew up in. So I can relate very closely to this. A place like this deserves to be preserved as a local historic site. However, I am sad to say it may not happen and so this photographic and documentary record is all we have. Thank you again.

    • It shows so well on how people used to live. Suspect it’s date with destiny will see it torn down or it falling down. Based on what I know, but can’t share. Glad we could shoot it, the finest subject our camera has seen for some times (and we see LOTS of cool stuff), and share the pictures, and a bit of its history, with you.

  51. Jenn says:

    Wow!!! Amazing photos and place. LOL I think of the 90’s as being not that long ago. How my house was and how this place was in the 90’s is worlds apart. Amazing.

    • I know the difference from how they lived, not all that long ago, and how we live today. Polar opposites! These guys were off the grid. It’s cool to do that now, but they were pioneers in it!

  52. Jason Sailer says:

    Wow! Love it. Reminds me of some of the farmhouses we explored in southern Saskatchewan, with stuff left on the shelves, clothes in the closets… Very nice

    • Love those ones where it looks like they just up and left. Very cool. We’ve seen a few like that in SK too. You can appreciate this…getting permission to go in this place was not all that different from the CPR Demo Farm. If you know what I mean. Still blushing a bit…

  53. Lynette Leach says:

    Sad to see a nice place like this fall apart.

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