Today, we’re exploring this tiny stone house, a cramped two-story affair built long ago. Far from the hustle and bustle of the world, it’s off-the-beaten-path locations like this that pique our curiosity. Why, when, how, who? It’s the stuff we’re into and even if we can never paint a complete picture, there’s some history to share. After a bit of digging.
Far removed from any towns, we found it along a quiet backroad in Northern Alberta. Built close to a century ago, the house was only occupied sporadically and often stood empty for long periods. For a great many decades leading to today, it’s been simply abandoned*. A lot of work went into its construction, and it seems all for naught.
The Tiny Stone House (Abandoned): last occupied in the 1960s. Out exploring with Chris Doering & Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd)
Let’s thank “Dale” for sponsoring this and many other posts at BIGDoer.com. Be like Dale…
This article is from about a decade ago and we reposted it for your enjoyment. To the best of our knowledge not much has changed there since our visit from 2016.
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To protect the property I’m afraid we’re going to have to be a bit vague in regards to names and locations. The building is on private property, with the owner worried about vandalism and theft, or the risk of someone sustaining an injury. Such is how it goes out in the rural parts.
The house dates from the mid-1920s and records suggest it was the first structure here. It appears the the land was unbroken before that. The fellow who built it occupied it for only short time and we don’t know much about him. His last name suggests he was of Eastern European descent and lots of settlers in the area were. So it makes sense.
His age, what happened to him later or even his first name are all unknowns. It’s all a bit of a mystery. We do know he left early on and that he was a bachelor.
The structure seems built of regular timber frame construction, with a jacket of stone. This accounts for that odd jog on the second story. It’s hard to tell if the stone was in any way structural, or if it was simply a protective wrap of sorts.
One thing is certain, the rock would have kept the place nice and cool come summer. While I guess it would make a good windbreak during a blustery Alberta winter, stone is hardly a great insulator and keeping the house warm overall in the cold months may have been a real challenge.
The stone work appears well done. Even with the small footprint of the building, stacking them would have been quite the task.
It’s said this first resident started collecting stones – there’s no shortage of them in the area – to also build a barn of similar construction on the same property. For some reason it was never completed and while the walls were started, they were later knocked down. Maybe it was just too ambitious a project? A non-descript pile of stones across the road mark the site.
The next owners acquired the property in the 1930s and it’s said the house was was already empty and unlived in at that point. Afterwards it was rented out occasionally over the next few decades, to single men. The last person, described to us as a mysterious “Mad Trapper” type hermit, lived in it for a year or so in the late 1960s then left. He kept to himself, lived completely off the land, gave off a strange vibe and shunned visitors.
Ever since it’s been empty and forgotten.
This tiny stone house was never wired for electricity, nor plumbing. In what was pretty typical for old farm houses of the era, it had an outdoor privy for doing one’s business. What fun during the frigid winter, the scorching summer or a pounding rain storm.
There’s a small wood porch out back and what appears to be a root cellar of sorts under the floor boards. Splotches of green paint can be seen on some trim pieces of wood not bleached by the sun.
Heat would have come from a coal or wood stove and a fireplace. It was pretty primitive living overall, but some people thrive in such environments. It’s not for everyone, but to a select few it’s just what they need.
The modest size of the house suggests the builder never planned to have a family. There’s no way they’d ever fit and it’s comprised of a couple small rooms on the main floor and one upstairs. It especially cramped up there and with little headroom.
Being open to the outside (abandoned farm houses almost always have no window glass), the birds have got in and pooped all over everything. Moisture has caused wall plaster to fall and partiers have left their mark too.
The second owners built the corrals nearby. Aerial photos from the 1950s seems to show other buildings on the property and in close proximity to the little stone house. The image is not clear enough to make out what they are, however. Sheds and such are presumed.
In the past, this land was used as pasture for cattle grazing, but now it’s cultivated. The current owners seem okay in keeping the building, even if it gets in the way of machinery.
Hosting us this day was Edmonton based adventurer Rob Pohl, a good friend and fantastic photographer (vintage film gear mostly). We love hanging with people who have healthy passion for this strange endeavour, but that still take the time to enjoy it all for what it is. Let loose, have fun, learn something, think of those who came before and revel in the history. Just don’t take yourself too seriously.
*Abandoned does not always indicate a lack of ownership, but rather a place empty, forgotten, uninhabited, or neglected. Like the little stone house seen here, it’s someone’s place.
They’re saying…
“Chris and Connie delve into the nooks and crannies of the Canadian Prairies. They detail interesting histories accompanied with revealing photos…the results are fantastic.” Naomi Kikoak.
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Date of adventure: March, 2016. Article references and thanks: Gene S, Judy P, miscellaneous records at the University of Calgary, our friend Rob Pohl and various government land titles.
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