Neidpath Grain Elevators Revisited

In early 2021 we came back to the Neidpath Grain Elevators*. Things aren’t looking so good for the old pair and with seven years passing since we last dropped by, it was a bit of a shock to see how badly they’ve deteriorated. In a moment, we’ll share a post showing how they looked in 2014, that also provides an in-depth history, but here we’ll just show you a recent view. It’s not a pretty one, either.

This post demonstrates one aspect of documenting history we loath – that is, returning to an abandoned place we’ve visited before knowing very well it’ll be in worse shape. That’s the way it goes, though. Time is not kind, we know it, and it’s the reason we’ve taped over all mirrors here at the office. As the natural flow of things – here, gone and soon a memory – we still find it hard to face.

I doubt we’ll be doing a follow up piece seven years hence given there’s likely little chance anything will remain by that point. It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see it coming. These elevators were visited on a rushed day and we only had time for them and not the town itself. Another thing we hate – too much to document and never enough hours in the day.

Neidpath goes back to the 1920s. Those were heady times, with the arrival of the railway, but it didn’t last long and in few decades the community was already in serious decline. This a song we’ve all heard before – boom then bust and it all happens in the blink of an eye. At the time of our last visit in 2014, there was one resident left, an old-timer who we chatted with and learned a lot. Now the population is zero.

Here’s a tour the town from that earlier visit: Neidpath Saskatchewan. It never was a big place but it’s a nice setting there on a little hill. A hill…in Saskatchewan?

Both of the grain elevators seen date back to 1924 and were last used in the early 1980s when the railway pulled out. Ever since they’ve stood empty and have badly fallen into disrepair. On that previous encounter, they were in rough shape, and there’s no doubt about it, but for the most part were intact. Since then one has lost its top completely and the other a section of roof. Damn prairie winds.

Seven years before: Prairie Sentinels – Neidpath Saskatchewan <---we don't like the photos but it's an interesting read none the less.

Down by the tracks, or where they used to be, an old grain hopper has been set down atop the former railbed. How interesting. Sans running gear, it appears it was being set up to store and dispense something (fertilizer?) but we’re not completely sure.

Something to consider: this makeshift bin is the first rail car in Neidpath in some forty years and that it was placed at the very spot where the trains used to run is something too. Neidpath was along a Canadian National branch and data shows it was never that busy of a line.

The highway calls, as it often does and we must answer. It’s one last shot from a distance, a bitter-sweet moment as we know it’ll probably be the last time we’ll see these elevators, minimally at least, while still in a recognizable form. We’re willing to bet they’ll be splinters next time, either at the hands of Father Time or that of man.

It’s been a while since a game has been played at the old ball diamond. We didn’t really pay much attention to it while shooting the one photo, but now see it as a bigger part of the overall scene, than we originally thought. You can hear the cheers and a crack of the bat. Like the elevators, it’s a forgotten relic from another time, but in comparison more easily overlooked.

Putting the camera down, it’s a take-pause moment and with one last look over the shoulder, we’re gone. We wonder if we’ll ever return.

*Due to a backlog that’d choke a horse, there’s often a big gap between a subject being photographed and the resultant story getting posted.

Please drop by often to take in new content posted regularly.

They’re saying…

”Chris and Connie are the real deal – their adventures are truly interesting and fun!” Justine Cooke.

Returning for a second look…
Lynnview Ridge Revisited – Less toxic than before! (I guess).
Hanna Roundhouse Revisited – Where steamers rested between runs.
CPR’s Big Hill revisted – Forgotten in the woods.

If you feel like chatting or want more information on what you see here feel free to contact us!

Date of Adventure: March, 2021.
Location(s): Neidpath, SK.
Article references and thanks: Jim Pearson and Larry Buchan (miss you both) for the research help in 2014 and of course our host, Dale whom we owe a debt of gratitude.
If you visit Neidpath Saskatchewan, please be respectful.

The Neidpath Grain Elevators Revisited.

Things aren’t looking so good.

This old railcar was placed here recently.

It’s been seven years.