Getting there is half the fun and no matter where we’re headed, nor the urgency, we take the backway when possible. Still, there’s often a time crunch, so if we see something of interest along the way, often a drive-by is the only option. Case in point here, a quick out the window shot showing the community hall in tiny Wostok Alberta. It’s an interesting area, and we’ll likely be back, but for now we have to settle for a quick little looksie.
Wostok goes back to the 1890s although it appears it didn’t really become a community in the traditional sense until the railway arrived in the late 1920s. This Canadian Pacific branch is long gone, but the town hangs on…kind of. There’s a few occupied homes but it’s otherwise pretty quiet. No records were found when the community hall was built, but it’s probably from around the time the trains arrived. It appears to be kept up and perhaps used from time to time. That’s nice.
The plaque over the entrance way displays a faded logo from 1980. Happy 75th Alberta! Now there’s reason to celebrate and with a hearty cheers it’s a click of the camera and we’re gone.
Short Subjects: Reports that are brief and sweet in nature. Think silly little snippets, vignettes and things of that sort and you’ll be in and out in no time.
We used to do something called the "pointless challenge" 🤪 and miss those days. It was so much silly fun and often frustrating as heck. In these we'd invite people to send in random photos of obscure locations, but not give any information, and then we'd track where it was and shoot something similar.
Most of these came from old family collections, as was the case here. Anyone up to resurrecting the series?
In hindsight, why didn't we pose someone in our shot?
Pointless: “Devoid of meaning (or) senseless” Merriam-Webster.
If you like what we do and want to support this ongoing project (12 years now), go here: https://www.BIGDoer.com/help-the-society/ Thanks to Connie for making this post possible.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: ca1970 and 2014. Posted by Connie.
Captured on a cold, cold day many years ago. We've been passing this old house for decades and it's little changed in that time. At some point we expect to drive by and it'll be gone.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2017. Posted by Connie.
When retired old railway cars usually get cut up for scrap. Sometimes, however, they find their way into the hands of the general public or whomever. Flat cars make good bridges, and boxcars can be transformed into storage buildings and the like. Case in point here. We see them used like this often enough and in this case, it's part of a corral.
Incidentally, this boxcar dates from 1950 and this was found by tracing the old road number, which is still visible.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2017. Posted by Connie.
This central Alberta racetrack was never a commercial operation but instead just a fun place for car enthusiasts in the area to get together. Early '70s or thereabouts and it only lasted a few years. Even thought it's been abandoned for that long, there is no doubt what was here.
You know we like the the obscure stuff and this one fits the bill perfectly. Found by accident while backroad cruising and the history comes thanks to local car guy Mike.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2022. Posted by Connie.
On top of little Myrtle Mountain in the Kimberley (BC) Nature Park.
There's some good wilderness fun to be had here and nice views as you can see, but the real reason we came is mining history. The whole area near the ski hill was extensively worked over a century ago and we were looking for evidence of this. We didn't find much in the area searched, but it's a big chunk of property and we hope to return to cover more ground again soon. Of all the subjects we cover, mining related is a favourite.
Still, it was a good hike and that can't be bad. Look to the comments for more info 👇.
Exploring nature and history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2022. Posted by Connie.
It's a strange curiosity in south Kananaskis, there on a hillside and we have no idea who created it. We asked around and no one's completely sure about its history. In the past it showed the Canada 100 logo from 1967 but in 2017 someone changed it to reflect the country's 150th.
That's our friend Emily from DanOCan.com having a look.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2017. Posted by Connie.
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Once again you continue to amaze. I eagerly await your further explorations!
Thanks a million!
Cheers!
Raise a glass…
Oh to go back to that era. I was born in the wrong era of time…
Agreed. Once they perfect time travelling, I know where I’ll be visiting.
The official logo, with extra graphics below:
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10159901323663633&set=p.10159901323663633&type=3
I recall that logo being everywhere at the time.
This hall is still gets used by the church.
Good to hear.
1980 was a lot of fun.
Do we dare ask?
You guys are awesome sauce!
What a fabulous compliment – thanks!