Grist Mill Farm
Certainly the most interesting element found in this abandoned Alberta farm yard is a building that was once a wind powered grist mill. Unique in form, with an almost European flavour, for much of its history it was actually a blacksmith and metal shop. Come with us as we explore this unique looking structure and other bits and pieces found on the same property, including a former dwelling and a couple old cars. Wispy clouds and a stunning blue sky this fine day, make the perfect backdrop for this adventure.
We’ll be a bit vague with names and locations in this report, in order to protect the property. It’s private property, but you probably already knew that. Please respect all land owners. We were of course on site with permission, and a big thanks to Tom for allowing us the chance to document the place.
Located in Starland County, the farm here was founded in 1913, shortly after the railway opened up the region to settlement. Of course, people lived the area before, earlier homesteaders scattered here and there, and for eons, those from First Nations, but the train was most responsible for bringing lots of newcomers in.
The first person here worked the the land until about 1918 when it was sold to another. The second, along with wife and kids, lived and farmed here until 1926 when the family of the current owner took possession.
It’s thought the first owner built the grist mill and the nearby house, a very small and unassuming clapboard covered, single level affair. No solid information backs this up however, but in old papers he’s said to be an expert carpenter and most certainly it would take a great deal of skill to construct the mill for one (the house, well, not so much). The steeply pitched intersecting gable roof, those overhanging eaves and that tapered tower, must have been a real challenge and to tackle it you’d have to know what you were doing. This person is also said to have had a part in helping construct many buildings in the immediate area so it kinda fits there as well. He knew what he was doing.
If our hunch is right, this makes the grist mill close to a century old.
Inside four angled beams, heavy and beefy, once supported the mill mechanism. Presumably there would have been a round grinding stone of some sort centred on the interior and driven by a vertical shaft powered by the blades far above. No photos have surfaced showing the mill when in use.
When the current owners acquired the land here it was said the grist mill had not be used for some years prior, suggesting what ever scheme the original builder had must not have worked out. Did he perhaps hope to sell his output to other settlers or did he just want a LOT of flour for himself? A mill of this size would make more than needed by the typical person or even family, so the former seems likely. Maybe it just didn’t work because of the wind? Did it blow enough to work? It was dead calm on out visit. Update 2016: I guess it was never used as a mill and was never built to completion.
The current land owner’s uncle and his family lived on the property for some time. This person then converted the mill into a blacksmith and metal working shop where he could repair or even fabricate farm equipment parts as needed.
A large metal drum attached to the outside of the structure, it’s believed, was water filled, acting as cistern to be used in case of fire. It looks like a hose once lead from it, which seems to back that up. No doubt with the building being all wood and all those hot coals and stuff, the risk of burning the place to the ground was great and understandably a huge concern. I’d be worried! A cinder block stand topped by a thick cement slab must have been where the hearth was located.
Scattered about the inside are various racks, storage shelves and hooks to hang what ever from. Old metal bits litter the floor.
It’s suggested the property was lived in until the 1960s with the blacksmith shop perhaps being used for a time after. No one seems completely sure however. What ever the case, everything’s been unused for some time, that of course is pretty obvious.
The current owners still farm the land here as they have done for ninety plus years.
The old house seen is pretty much empty and is collapsing and so is not long for the world. It was a modest dwelling for sure…heck it would be down right cramped if more than one or two people lived in it. Across the yard are some vintage wood granaries. They’re a part of every old farm yard it seems.
Under a collapsed shed is a 1960s (1965-1968?) Mercedes car. Our vehicle IDing skills are hardly sharp but it seems to be a 190, 200 or 230 series, which was the firm’s entry level offerings. It of course has that distinctive Mercedes grill common to the era.
Beside the grist mill and decaying away, is a 1966 Ford Galaxie (should be Galaxy, no?), a giant chunk of Detroit metal, a land barge of extreme dimensions. It seats a 100! Or something close. Both it and the other were once family rides.
Looking at the one in the failing shed they must have had plans for it although it was not said. It appears in reasonably decant shape or I guess did until the building partially crushed it. The other one, and again it was not stated, I’d guess was simply plopped here when it became too old or unreliable. Old farm yards are perfect dumping grounds for unwanted metal. Park it and forget it.
Other bits of machinery are scattered about the property, as is not unusual for places like this. A solitary light pole still stands and once provided illumination for the yard. Off in the distance is a lake, no doubt shallow as those on the prairies often are, and come summer a big giant mosquito factory.
We had a wonderful sky this day with soft nebulous clouds, begging that some shots be done monochrome. But the stunning blues screamed shoot colour. So we did both.
More post you’ll be sure to like…
The Stone House.
Bents (a must read).
Wet Dreams.
Bow City townsite – with ForgottenAlberta.com.
Abandoned coal mine cars.
If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!
Date: October, 2015.
Location: Starland County, AB.
Article references and thanks: Thomas H, Larry A, Daniel M, Local history books.
The old farm is on private property. BIGDoer.com visited with permission.
This mill is sure popular on social media right now. If you want a good chuckle look for the cringe photo with the fake bird added in.
Sorry, didn’t see it. There a person on FB page I’m an admin on who constantly adds in phoney skies and then gets combative when people call them out on it. It’s popcorn at the ready stuff.
Hi Great photos and description.
Thanks
You are welcome! It’s a pretty special building.
I just visited this mill myself (with permission). It was just before sunset when I arrived so my images are much different than yours and it was too dark to see the Benz. My trip was inspired by your article.
We’ve been planning a revisit, at a different hour to get a different view. It’s one you can come back to time and again. If we’ve inspired someone, then we’ve done our job right. We’ll go looking for your pics – can’t wait to see them.
At least you have real skies and not the fake ones like that Carrie photographer.
Sorry, a little unsure what you mean. Can you explain?
Speaking of Carrie ******* who puts fake skies in all her photographs. Then she gets all argumentative when called out for her trickery.
I blanked out the last name as this is not really the place for that. Now I understand what you mean though. Yeah, I’ve seen others do that. It really doesn’t speak well of a person’s camera skills if they have to add fake elements to a photo to make it passable and that applies to anyone. That I get.
This is a beautiful old piece of architecture. I love looking at the skill and attention to details that these craftsmen had! Thanks for the posting!!
Yes, skill. Like boat loads of it. Can’t imagine all the work it took to make that building. Glad you liked the piece!
I may not know where these places are, but I sure enjoy reading about them. From a time lost forever.
Glad you enjoy our work. We’ll keep it coming!
Cool find especially with car next to the building.
It’s an amazing place to see.
It has really interesting roof lines.
The most unique we’ve seen.
Just imagine all the sweat & hard work that building has held.
I know! What a craftsperson they were.
That looks like the back end of a grain truck parked in what used to be a garage. You can see the grain chute.
Yes, it’s an old grain box off a truck.
Wonderful photo and article.
Thank you!
You guys find the best places.
We are blessed in that respect. Very much so.
Always curious how you guys find these stories. Always a good read and then I want to find and see for myself.
It takes lots of work to track down history. Many phone calls, scouring endless archives and reading book after book. But we enjoy it, so it’s no big deal.
stunning!
Amen!
Nice photos. I like the roof.
Yes, that roof. Imagine all the work to make it so.
Oh my gosh, incredible and hard to believe it is still standing! Very unique!
Unique might be an understatement! Such a cool place.
Very cool pictures.
Credit goes to the building…it’s amazing!
love it!
Thank you!
I’ve seen many images of this mill so it’s great to read some of the history. Chris I have the address but not the phone number. I had planned on just knocking on the door for permission but it would likely be easier for all if I had the phone number or email address. Would you be able to provide that? As stated I have the address so that is not needed.
Glen the owner asked we not share his name or contact info. I know you try to do it proper, so what I can do is send a message to him and put in a good word for you. Can’t guarantee anything mind you, but who knows.
I understand Chris and appreciate anything you can do.
Thanks Glen.
Very interesting. Delia, also in Starland County, has a restored gristmill on display, though with a much simpler design: https://delia.ca/delia-historical-society/
I’ve seen that one in Delia but maybe next time I’ll check it out a little closer. Thanks for sharing!
Google the Kraken Queen.
Done! Okay, interesting. I guess. Fashion model shoots and abandoned stuff rarely works – I seen a ton of them – there just seems too big a disconnect between the subjects. Still, my dear departed friend John Sharpe pulled it off at times. He could evoke the emotions needed.
You two are amazing! There’s a lot of photographers shooting abandoned subjects but no puts their heart into it like you do.
Awwww shucks, that’s touching. Thank you! There’s a million photographers taking in the stuff we do, and all but one or two do it better than us, but add a story and our mediocre photos take on a whole new dimension. That’s at least how we hope it works. Do drop by often!
Great gallery (also on Insta) and i love your pictures of this lostplace!
Greets from “far away”,
Michael
Micheal, so nice to hear from you and thanks for commenting. Come back often and do it again! Glad you like our pics. Love yours too.
Thank you for creating the background on these pictures it really is a time travellers delight. I was captivated
You are most welcome. Photos alone aren’t enough. There needs to be a story. Thanks for commenting!
Absolutely fascinating, special!!!!!!! A structure quite unusual.
It sure is one of the more unique farm structures we’ve ever documented. Thanks for commenting!
That drag line out by mid ale sask?
Hmmmmm, was this meant for another article? No draglines seen in this one.
So much character! This is very cool!
So very true. I loved exploring it. Have a great day!
(via Facebook)
Holy! That’s beautiful!
Thank you for commenting. Come by often, okay!
(via Facebook)
The European influence in design of the mill building is understandable as even today one can still find many families from there living in the region.
It sure does have a European look.
Shared to Ghost Town Hunters.
Thanks a million!
A lot of history behind all of this…love it!
So much more than we wrote about, for sure.
(via Facebook)
Just reading about this on your page now, TAKE ME THERE!!! lol!
I wish we could. Thanks so much for commenting.
Can you imagine how it appeared back in the day? There’s a lot of style in the mill building.
Yea, it’s a stunning piece of work.
Great photos. Why are there so many abandoned buildings in Alberta?
With a broad stroke, farming does not pay well (usually) and most children of farmers seem disinterested in that work and leave.
Great posts Chris Doering! Luv them!
Thank you – and keep coming back!
(via Facebook)
Glad you made it out there to see it Chris. Good write up as usual.
Thanks for the inspiration!
I just surfed in from BW Bandy’s blog…you two do superlative work!
Maybe we’ll catch ya on the road one day!
You bet, we’re always out and about. Love Bandy, he’s does it in a style we like. Keep coming back!
Love this architecture.
Such a super-interesting building.
So many old vehicles just left to rust in many odd places. Car guys would cry endless tears if they saw it all.
It’s amazing how many old cars we stumble across!
Love your work. Simply stunning. Always appreciate the history about the buildings.
So glad you stopped by. We so love documenting these types of places.