Not like we need another obsession here at BIGDoer.com, but it’s happened. Great…just great. And it’s well known history buff Johnnie Bachusky we blame. If not for him bringing up the subject of water towers recently while chatting, the seed would have never been planted. Sure, we noticed these structures before while on out on adventures, and even photographed a few, but we didn’t pay them a great deal of mind overall. I guess we were preoccupied with other things. But since that fateful day not long, we think of them a lot and search them out religiously. Funny how that happens.
Seen here, the first and second shots since being bitten by the bug. Number one is found in the tiny community of Arrowwood Alberta, a charming little place. Until recently there used to be a Co-op store sitting in front, but it was torn down a year or two back. To the best of our knowledge, this water tower is quite old and may go back to around the time when the town was founded in the mid-1920s, and is still used. And down the highway and across the Bow River, a similar structure in the town of Gleichen. This tower dates from the early-1910s has been unused since the 1970s, but was saved and historically recognized. Kudos for that.
Both shots were done late in the day, on the same day. And we drove out there just to shoot them.
Soon, no doubt, you’ll see more water tower posts here. Thanks Johnnie…thanks a lot.
Short Subjects: reports that for any number of reasons are brief in nature. They might be updates to older articles, previews of posts planned or not yet published, brief snippets of things that don’t fit in anywhere else or subjects that are so obscure that information on them can’t be found. Or sometimes we just ramble on about Lord knows what.
If you need any more information on what we talked about here, by all means contact us!
Date of adventure: March, 2019. Location: Arrowwood & Gleichen Alberta.
Heritage journalist Chris Doering served me up quite an honour today with a shout out on his site that was included in a water tower piece, a passion of mine. Chris is an outstanding writer and I am a great admirer of his heritage work. Thanks Chris. Now about that planned trip to Square Deal….
The other day we were talking about the Leduc water tower – 1980 – and the alarm that sounded from it at 10 every night. It might have worked when it was originally designated to take kids off the street but by then it was just ignored.
We know of a couple towns that still have a curfew siren. Ymir BC is one…it goes off precisely at 9pm. Or at least did – it’s been a couple years since we were there.
(A long read) After twelve years it's time to put a face to the name and come clean on something. That's rarely-seen Chris in the photo, one half of Team BIGDoer, my best friend for almost thirty years and orchestrator of everything you see here. For his entire adult life, he's battled a deep depression.
Mostly it's manageable, but there are extended bouts where it's crippling and his life comes to a grinding halt. Sometimes there are days or weeks where he's lost. Sleep does not come easy at this time and further aggravates the issue. As he ages, it's worsening and seems intent on destroying him from the inside.
If you see a lack of posts here, or ones poorly worded, confusing or simply off, it's from one of these periods.
Through all this, he remains as kind, thoughtful and loving as ever, but is somewhere else. To the family, it's just Chris and accepted as it should be. The kids and grandkids adore him no less. Until today, however, this has been hidden from the outside world, although closer friends and some readers were probably already suspect of his condition. I hope admitting this does not break the site.
He finds clarity when we're out and doing things, hiking or documenting something historic and it's only THE reason this page and our website exists. It's therapy. Then he's a new and passionate person, but the monster as he calls it always returns. The Beer Parlour Project has brought out a side I've never seen and when out in the field he's never been so on point and confident.
This post is not for sympathy but to inform. Just so you know where he is and here's what you can do to help (a last ditch request)...
If you see a missed comma or oddly worded sentence in a post, please be kind. You'll probably see his uncertainty when he's off and be nice there too. But if you like what you see, even if the write up could be presented better, post your encouragement. Say something and say it loud...it's important and will keep him sharing. Help Chris get better by cheering him on.
Other than some photos that are mine, everything else comes from him. All the tiring research and the writing (he admits he's NOT a writer), are his.
Chris puts every dollar he makes into this "project of a lifetime", and it's supplemented by donations from readers who enjoy the content. If you want to help...
Admittedly he was not thrilled with the idea of posting this but agrees it probably should be said, even if it makes him uneasy. He doesn't like appearing in photos either. He's so shy, thinks he looks goofy and hates his husky eyes. I love them and they're windows into a wonderful, complex and quiet, but tortured soul. It breaks my heart when he's in a bad space.
This image comes thanks to photographer Arturo Pianzola and was captured while exploring the historic Riverview Mental Hospital in Coquitlam BC. Chris thought since he was in the area last year, he'd stop by to visit with a grandfather he never really knew, who spent his last years at the facility and is buried on the grounds.
Thanks for listening and your understanding. Hopefully we'll see you next week. Johanna (Connie).
Journey of Natty Gann (Disney 1985) and the same location in the Crowsnest Pass 2014. We're visiting the Pass over the new year, as we often do, and this time we'll be staying at a house that appears (briefly) in the film. How cool, eh? Chris has decided it's time on this visit to reshoot this and other Natty Gann comparison shots we did from ten years ago. Stay tuned!
This scene was shot in historic downtown Coleman and shows the former Holyk's Grocery. It was built in the early 1900s and the store closed in the '60s. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
From 2015. Rob Pohl and his strange old-style view camera joined us in documenting the Laing House (with permission). Head down to the comments to see an amazing coincidence with something I found inside.
From the Crossley slides, it's an undated view of Towers School, out near Cluny Alberta. It was originally called Swastika School but that's before the word and symbol were ruined by negative connotations. Built 1922. Gone? _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
The same alley in downtown Calgary's west end, in the 1970s & today. You have to look hard to see the connection! The area was quite run down back then and is in stark contrast to all the shiny condo towers seen present day. Calgary Place West, an apartment block, appears in both images although it's barely a sliver in ours. Check the comments for more info.
Photo credit: James Tworow collection. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Lost highways (2022): a section of old #93 in Southeastern BC. That BIGDoer-mobile is gone now but quite famous and had a following of its own. Old mine roads, cow paths, 4x4ing across fields - no problem and people would recognize us out in remote areas just by this car. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Check out Kindersley, sk
We’ve added it to the list, thanks!
Great photos!
Thanks Connie, hope your day is a good one.
Drumheller still has one.
Added it to the list. Seen it before but didn’t pay it much mind. Now with that seed planted, we’ll search them out more.
From Johnnie Backhusky’s FB page…
Heritage journalist Chris Doering served me up quite an honour today with a shout out on his site that was included in a water tower piece, a passion of mine. Chris is an outstanding writer and I am a great admirer of his heritage work. Thanks Chris. Now about that planned trip to Square Deal….
Any time Johnnie, let’s do it! Glad you liked the post too.
You should have come a little further when you were in Alsask, there’s one in Kindersley they are thinking of tearing down.
Had we known…but if we’re in the area again…
You need to see the old wooden water tower at Weyburn SK.
We’ll have to check it out if we’re in the area. Thanks for the tip.
One like this in wetaskiwan.
On the to-do list!
Beautiful pictures, a painting ..!!!
Thanks, glad you like them.
The other day we were talking about the Leduc water tower – 1980 – and the alarm that sounded from it at 10 every night. It might have worked when it was originally designated to take kids off the street but by then it was just ignored.
We know of a couple towns that still have a curfew siren. Ymir BC is one…it goes off precisely at 9pm. Or at least did – it’s been a couple years since we were there.
Great shots!!!
Thanks, we sure enjoyed shooting them.