The Humble Miner’s Cottage

What you see in this post has changed since we documented it last fall. The subject, an old house sealed up for decades, has been cleared of possessions which have been put in safe storage. Next any issues with the building will be tackled, with eventual plans that everything be put back as it was to become an exhibit for a local museum.

They’ll be preserving a small slice of yesteryear here and we get a tour just before the work begins. Come, join in.

We’re in East Coulee in the Red Deer River Valley, a place of scenic wonder and full of history. And much of that is coal mining history, to which this old house is connected. This is the Humble Miner’s Cottage, taking us back to a time, long ago, when men toiled underground and what they extracted drove the local economy. This home was typical for someone employed in that industry.

The house is tiny, as miner’s homes tend to be. There was four of us inside and let me tell you it was cozy – one more and it would have been standing room only. Tall people are at a serious disadvantage here as your author found out – got my bell rung a couple times. “%*##^%$ %@+$&, my head!”

The house stands along a quiet little side street. Lots of miner’s cottages here, some still lived in full time, others used as summer cabins. They’re all so charming and quaint.

This cottage dates from the late 1920s. It’s got cold and cold running water and there’s a single hanging light bulb per room – all four of them, two bedrooms on the upper floor and a kitchen and living room downstairs, plus a small nook for storage. Coal was used for heat and cooking. But of course, East Coulee was built on coal mining.

The “facilities” where out back by the alley. Such fun freezing one’s hiney off in the depths of winter. And that wonderful wafting aroma come summer. Also in the back yard a chicken coop, smoke house and coal shed all made of sticks and mud, plus room for a large garden. And some choke cherry trees, the fruit of which, it’s said, was made into a locally famous homemade wine.

The Humble Miner’s Cottage, Red Deer River Valley Alberta.

Overall everything is simple and primitive, very “old country”. But look at that, they had a phone. The jack on the wall looks almost out of place. That big basin down in the kitchen was the bathtub. On the walls, an homage to the queen and lots of religious art. Shelves are stocked with pots and pans, personals effects, clothes hang in closets. Old man hats hang off hooks. So much left behind. It’s all rather eerie.

Along a quaint tree-lined street.

The belt hanging there…a reminder to the grand kids to behave? A radio provided the only entertainment.

Those steep and narrow stairs inside are a “recent” addition. Tripping on the way down could be disastrous. It sure was a tight fit for big ‘ol me. Before these were added one had to use the outside stairs to go from floor to floor. That’d be fun in a storm! The porch also was put in later. Presently the house is suffering from some structural issues, which will be addressed as work proceeds. In one spot the floor beneath the fridge is giving way. In others, it’s soft and squishy underfoot. Thank goodness I could stretch step over the worst of it – thanks mother nature for those loooong legs.

The people that lived here had the name Tasko and were immigrants from Hungary. There was Steve and Mary and the two kids, Steve and Mary. Love it! Mister Tasko came to Canada in the late 1920s, bouncing around the west from job to job before finally settling down in East Coulee in the late 1930s. Soon after the wife and daughter joined him from the old country. In the early 1940s they bought this house (one of a few miner’s “shacks” in town two stories in size, BTW) and not long after the son was born.

Mr Tasko worked for the Atlas Mine his job that of a timberman, one entrusted to put up roof supports in the mine tunnels. All his next door neighbours were also employed in the industry – there was many coal mines in East Coulee. Incidentally, the Taskos owned the house, but the Atlas the land. It’s believed this arrangement was commonplace for miner’s houses in town.

To get to work, Mr Tasko would have had to cross East Coulee’s historic wood bridge. It’s a fine old structure last used in the 1980s with an uncertain future. It’s in rough shape and not getting any better.

Fast forward to the 1980s, the kids are moved away and both of the elder Taskos passed on (Mary in 1982 at age 74 and Steve in 1987 at age 87). The Atlas, by the way, closed this same decade and was the last coal mine in the valley. Later, the house and all its contents were donated by the estate to the East Coulee School Museum. There’s plans to eventually have it become an exhibit on the museum grounds a few blocks away. But it takes time and money, the latter in particular hard to come by, so it won’t be overnight. They would love if you donated to the cause.

Out near the alley, these are the “facilities”.

Moving about the house, we’re taken aback just how intact everything is. Very little has been disturbed or moved. It really is a time capsule, the best we’ve ever seen and it feels like you could move right in. We jostle for position, each trying hard to keep from being in the other’s photos. It doesn’t always work though in such tight quarters and so we photo-bomb each other a lot.

A place for chickens and a big garden.

We think back to those who lived here. How they toughed it out in the stifling heat of summer, the frigid cold come winter, when the wind howled and what little insulation there was in the house did little to protect its occupants. Baths in a basin, water heated on the stove. No TV but maybe Hockey Night in Canada on the radio. Gardening out back. Struggling through snow drifts to do one’s business. Shovelling coal. Bare bulbs dimly lighting the interior. Clothes drying by the stove. Those deadly stairs! A little cherry cordial.

What a simple existence. These people were resilient…tough as nails. Seems to me, we got it easy.

We ponder the future. What we’ve just recorded with change forever soon after our visit. For the better, but still it seems a bit melancholy. One day, perhaps, we’ll revisit in a restored state. But for now we’re witness to something special that few have seen, a totally untouched reminder of how people used to live that one day, with some work, could be for all to see and learn from.

The Tasko place was pure magic and one of the most memorable we’ve visited. And we’ve seen our share. Thanks to Barb for allowing us access and tolerating us as run around crazily snapping pictures. Thanks to our friend Rob Pohl for arranging the tour and putting us up. Can’t wait to see his pics (shot on film) that come out of this.

A reminder, the Tasko Miner’s Cottage is not open for viewing. For now.

Another (mostly) intact place…
Peeling Paint and Lace Curtains.

Something amazing…
CPR Demonstration Farm.

More little homes (all of stone)…
These Stone Walls.
Tiny Stone House.
The Stone House.

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

Date: October, 2017.
Location: East Coulee, AB.
Article references (and thanks): Barb @ East Coulee School Museum.
The Humble Miner’s Cottage is private property. BIGDoer.com visited with permission.

A peek inside the “time capsule”.

The floor’s giving way under the fridge.

Sittin’ on the couch listening to Hockey Night in Canada.

They just up and passed away and the home sealed.

Soon after our visit it was cleared of most effects.

God Save the Queen and a “Hi” to Connie.

Cold and cold running water.

So amazingly intact. That big basin is the bathtub.

Pink is a theme as you’ll soon see.

The house dates from the 1920s – here, the porch.

One bulb per room.

Phone jack seems out of place.

Cabbage and Cucumbers.

Low clearances! It’s a tiny place in every way.

Finding our way upstairs.

Religion played a big part in their lives.

Keeping one warm during a frigid Alberta winter.

The many clothes that were hung here to dry.

The view on entering from the back stairs.

Steep and narrow!

In the soft light, thinking about those who lived here.

Visited on a fine fall day, the backyard view.

Coal for heat and cooking.

A shed of sticks and mud.

Weathered and cracked, these speak of the passage of time.

Such a charming little dwelling.

The tour, and we hope you liked it, sadly is almost over.

One final look and thinking how it’s all to change after we leave.