Valley Farm

There by the trees at a bend in the creek, in a scenic valley very un-prairie like, there’s remains of a charming old farm house. It’s been a while since it was called a home but within surely a few memories remain. Picture fresh bread in the oven, washing on the line and a dog on the porch. It’s backbreaking work out the fields, patching a leak in the roof, tending livestock and tending children, repairing an old plow, mending a fence, the toil never ending. Then, after a hearty dinner, it’s off to bed only to rise with the sun, to do it all over again. It’s a hard life out in the country and right here at the Valley Farm is where it played out.

This farm dates back to the early 1900s with the property changing hands a few times in quick succession early on. The first long term residents came in from the US during this period. Inheriting a log cabin built a few years before, they soon moved into a newly constructed house. A modest two room abode to begin with, a 1910s two story addition resulted in the structure seen today. In some old photos sourced, it looks pretty much the same then as as it does now. It’s no mansion, it’s not over the top in any way, just something humble in form…and it was home sweet home. There in lies the appeal. It was not just timbers and nails, but something more.

The property was acquired by new owners (late 1920s?) who lived here for close to half a century before retiring to town for few years. No one’s lived at the house ever since. These people only had a couple kids – odd for the time with most farm families usually quite large – one of which sadly passed on shortly after being born.

During research an interesting and rather heartfelt story is brought to light about these last residents. After being married for something close to forever, they passed away within days of each other. “It was the talk of the community for awhile”, says Tim Swaren, a local (and a friend). They couldn’t be apart, I guess, and maybe it was a broken heart that did the last in. Both at the time were approaching a hundred which is pretty impressive in itself.

Parked & ready, it’s show time.

A peek inside confirms the house empty, except for the usual trappings, bird droppings and odd bits of detritus. On the kitchen wall, it’s layer after layer of paper and paint, the deeper you peel back, the further into the past you go. Looking about, we didn’t notice any light switches or fixtures, suggesting they did it all without electricity, not uncommon in the old days ( Update June 2021: it seems they got it later on). We suspect there was no plumbing either, which similarly was something of a luxury out in rural parts not all that long ago.

There’s a second building on the property, now a fallen down jumble of timbers. Given time mother nature will reclaim what we as a people build up, a process well under way here. In old history books the disposition of the original log house makes no mention, but this appears to be a framed structure, so we think it’s not that, but perhaps a former barn.

There’s some miscellaneous bits of machinery scattered about the property. In back of an old Massey-Harris combine, a bank shows signs of recent slumping. If it worsens, it could slide into the creek that runs directly below. The soil here is prone to move if the slope is steep and devoid of trees.

Then an interesting thing happened. What’s that whoosing sound? A gas flare at a nearby well, out of sight up there on the plains? Didn’t hear it before…and it’s as though it’s getting closer. Then the last thing you’d ever expect to see out in the boonies, nowhere close to any kind of population centre, up pops a hot air balloon. Had to give our head a shake. In view for a few moments, it then drops below the trees with a chase van soon appearing out on the road and in hot pursuit, the dust raised on its passing hanging in the still evening air well into dark.

It’s no UFO, but still something unexpected and that heightens the whole experience and makes for great memories. Slightly odd occurrences like this happen to us quite often, incidentally. We looked up the balloon firm and here they were far from home.

A slow meandering creek flows on the property, probably a big source of mosquitoes come summer, but no doubt it made life easier for the residents. The water’s there right beside the house which we suppose negated the need for a well. The woods on this side of the valley are thick, so a nice windbreak and blessed givers of shade. The opposite side is grassy and lacks such protection.

The trees offer up a ready supply of building materials too, something rather rare out in the plains, and no doubt they’re home to lots of game. Coal was also found in the area which was a handy for heating and cooking. Being broad, the valley was (and is) good pasture land and up top, it’s field after field of grain extending off to the horizon. Overall, it’s a pretty nice place to put down roots.

Vintage metal in scenic valley, very unprairie-like.

Cows at certain times of year roam the property and we had to coordinate this shoot so we didn’t clash. Soon after our visit, that cattle ramp seen would be put to good use. Timbering over the windows of the house keeps the moo-moos from entering the old building.

Alberta is not so well known for its spectacular sunsets as say Saskatchewan (“Land of the Living Skies”), but this evening, we were treated to a stunning, albeit brief, show. The subject itself is so cool, the balloon to us odd-balls something strange and epic and Mother Nature’s contribution, the cherry on top.

For this posting, as we have had to do before, we’ve been a bit vague in regards to some details, like names and location references, in an effort to help protect the site.

Till next time, keep on being curious.

They’re saying…

”They have no fear when it comes to searching in remote areas, and they have an artistic eye for picture taking. It’s a very enjoyable site.” James Robinson.

More wondrous abandonment…
The Ranger’s Cabin – vintage graffiti.
The Amazing Brady Mansion – right out of 1970.
The Roadhouse – good times no more.

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

Date of Adventure: May, 2020.
Location(s): Central Alberta.
Article references and thanks: Local History Books, Tim Swaren, Jesse A.
The Valley Farm is on private property & BIGDoer.com visited with permission.

Cattle pens remind us the land’s still used for grazing.

It’s been empty for many decades.

The warm glow of the setting sun.

Not many years left.

No yellow today.

Odd junk inside.

Beaten by the sun, wind & rain.

A little creek runs through the property.

Trees are a rarity out this way.

Sometimes it’s the little details.

What the…?

The house dates back well over a century.

Now just a pile of old timbers (the old barn?).

Something completely odd & unexpected.

The spectacular sky was the cherry on top.

Sometimes I think we’re blessed – the colours!

As though someone’s home.

Behind the scenes.