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.
Beer Parlour Project Friday🍺: The Thorsby Hotel, built in 1929 & a photo by the manager's 7 years old daughter. More below 👇
Agreema politely asked if she could shoot a few photos & we obliged. A dark environment like this is very unforgiving & the camera she used quite temperamental, so she did an amazing job. We're out of work as photographers! Great food at this place, BTW!
Beer Parlour Project Friday🍺: The Tofield Hotel, built in 1912 & patron Lana, shot on Rob's vintage view camera. More below 👇
She's a sweetie & met her late husband at the hotel. The building from the alley side hasn't changed much since being built but the front brickwork is now covered by siding.
Crossley slides (unrestored), an unnamed fellow snacking on Sun-Maid Raisins - mountains of BC - 1950s. More below 👇
The distinctive red box is instantly recognizable! The location is listed as the Whitewater Valley & we think it's in the Sandon area close to Retallack. Perhaps some of our friends out that way can confirm. Sandon B.C., would Hal know? Crossley frequented Sandon so the location makes sense. Note the (mine?) road cutting across the slope in back. The slide is dated 1955 in the catalogue but 1956 on the frame.
Shout out to: Jason Sailer. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
An old section of Highway #6 (BC) in the 1970s & 2021 - it's the second most shared post in our entire history! More below 👇
The original photo shows the road about the time it was decommissioned. This was always a troublesome section & so it got replaced by a new route further up the hill. While it hasn’t seen a car in eons, it remains overall in reasonable shape, save for some rockfall in places like this. These came down about ten years ago.
Happy Holidays from Off the Beaten Path w' Chris & Connie. Thanks for your continued support & encouragement. More 👇
🎄 🎄 🎄
CPKC's Holiday Train from a few nights ago. Rather than fight the crowds to see it, we wanted something a little more intimate. A bit of hike, but we brought mulled wine to help us keep warm while waiting. It's not a great shot & originally we had no intent to share it here, but what the heck.
Trainspotting is like fishing. It's not about the catch but rather getting out. If a train comes by, great, but if not, we had each other & a chance to get away from the day's problems. That's a BIG win in our books...even if we did freeze our bottoms off. _______
Out exploring 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.