Driving down some random Alberta backroad, as we’re apt to do when there’s time to burn, we know there’s a good probability we’ll discover something interesting. Mostly we use they type of trips as scouting missions, making notes and then following up with a return visit at some later date. Here though, such formalities are not needed, and we take in a little forgotten cemetery at a crossroads in the “Special Areas”. Yes, it’s that vast expanse of sparsely populated land out east. Almost missing it on passing, we stop and take a few moments to pay our respects. Seems the proper thing to do.
Outside Lydia (1870s-1920s), the only currently marked grave, we know not who’s here. Fences speak of others interred, and depressions mark more, but in name they remain unknown. An online search of popular cemetery databases turns up nothing. Still, a plaque at the sites tells of the land here being used for burials from the early 1910s to the mid-1940s, whereas a church also stood here for most of that time. And that’s pretty much it.
Now all that’s left is a few falling down fences, Lydia’s stone marker, and little else. There among the tall grass and unkempt grounds, a place lost. We remember, if for but for a moment, if that means anything but doubt it’s much thought of or visited. Who were these people, what’s the story. I guess we’ll never really know. Then we’re gone in a cloud of dust, and it’s only ghosts in the silence and their faint memories of a life long past.
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.
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Date of adventure: April, 2019. Location: Special Areas #2, AB.
There are many ghost towns across western Canada, and each one would have had at least one graveyard. Some settlements were only logging camps or mines that operated for short periods of time, and may not have ever been recognized as official locations.
I know of a couple small graveyards in remote areas that are only accessible from the railroad, and even from the train you have to know where to look. I’m sure we pass by many more that remain unseen.
We’re aware of a number of lost cemeteries. Those near permanent settlements get recorded, but as you say, in places here and gone in a flash or very remote, not always. We wonder how many folks died building the railway, only to be buried close by them promptly forgotten. Probably more than we think.
In order to protect the site from vandals and such (a real BIG problem in rural areas), we can’t say anything more than the Special Areas #2. It’s sad we have to do this, but it’s the reality of it all.
It makes me wonder Why??? A resident or relative could come out to this site and kinda of clean it up and maintain it once in awhile ,in respect for the ones who are buried there????
Back home in Severn Bridge ON there is a grave near the CNR (former Grand Trunk Railway) tracks. The lady who owned the property that she sold to the GTR did so with a proviso that her grave be tended by the railway in perpetuity. To this day the CNR sends a crew out to clean up her grave site.
Someone’s out there who knows and somewhere there’s archives that speak on the subject. It’s just a matter to find them. In normal channels, the cemetery’s an unknown, but by deep searching (which takes time), I’m sure we can find a back story.
Sometimes the forgotten cemeteries can spark the most discussion! I enjoy finding these forgotten places and wonder how it came to be, or how the people who are resting there lived their lives.
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.
There are many ghost towns across western Canada, and each one would have had at least one graveyard. Some settlements were only logging camps or mines that operated for short periods of time, and may not have ever been recognized as official locations.
I know of a couple small graveyards in remote areas that are only accessible from the railroad, and even from the train you have to know where to look. I’m sure we pass by many more that remain unseen.
Many are the dead men, to silent to be real.
We’re aware of a number of lost cemeteries. Those near permanent settlements get recorded, but as you say, in places here and gone in a flash or very remote, not always. We wonder how many folks died building the railway, only to be buried close by them promptly forgotten. Probably more than we think.
That is a profound touching photo. Reminds everyone of the hardships endured in the past.
Well said. Thanks.
Settlers tried to farm here, but the land is just too arid. People moved on, to leave only cemeteries behind.
It sure is dry country.
If this isn’t the album cover for some deperado outlaw country rock band I dont know what is.
Yes, I could see that. We’ve never shot an album cover before. Book cover yes, however.
Where is this?
In order to protect the site from vandals and such (a real BIG problem in rural areas), we can’t say anything more than the Special Areas #2. It’s sad we have to do this, but it’s the reality of it all.
May they Rest in Peace.
Amen…
I love the rustic and wild beauty of it.
It’s peaceful, even in that derelict state.
Wonder who Lydia was. Someone loved her enough to put up this tombstone. 💕
We know her name, but otherwise nothing else about her.
It makes me wonder Why??? A resident or relative could come out to this site and kinda of clean it up and maintain it once in awhile ,in respect for the ones who are buried there????
Sometimes there’s no one around to do. In the case of relatives, they may have moved on or passed away.
I like this photo SO SAD THOUGH
Very sad indeed.
Oyen ………….worst breakfast ever ! Circa 1978 . How are poached eggs greasy?
Sounds yummy!
There’s alot of graves like that all over that area
Yes, and many of them untended too.
Back home in Severn Bridge ON there is a grave near the CNR (former Grand Trunk Railway) tracks. The lady who owned the property that she sold to the GTR did so with a proviso that her grave be tended by the railway in perpetuity. To this day the CNR sends a crew out to clean up her grave site.
That’s some story! Cool.
I hope there is someone out there who remembers this place.
Someone’s out there who knows and somewhere there’s archives that speak on the subject. It’s just a matter to find them. In normal channels, the cemetery’s an unknown, but by deep searching (which takes time), I’m sure we can find a back story.
Sometimes the forgotten cemeteries can spark the most discussion! I enjoy finding these forgotten places and wonder how it came to be, or how the people who are resting there lived their lives.
These always get lots of engagement, this one in particular on Facebook. Who, what, why? All those questions!