In this piece we’re revisiting Beachwood Estates High River Alberta, a once thriving community built in a flood zone. A known flood zone – anyone find that funny? Then guess what, the river flooded – the watercourse does have High in its title after all. This happened in 2013, and while everything got rebuilt, the powers that be decided the potential for a repeat was too great and residents later told to leave.
So the people moved away and by 2017 the community had no residents. The homes were left behind, and maintained, only to later be sold but under condition they be removed from the property. The former residents got a pay-out we understand, but word on the street is that many were unhappy with the amount. Beachwood was an upscale neighbourhood, built late ’80s/early ’90s and many homes valued in the high six figures.
So the buildings were carted off and now the only real evidence anything ever existed here are the streets and sidewalks. Access is blocked off so they see no traffic – well foot traffic – but that’s it. Soon, we understand they’ll be gone too and the land allowed to revert back to nature. In the meantime, the series The Last of Us used it as a set (soon after the visit documented here). Note the the oddly ordered placement of trees and bushes, in certain forest scenes, which were once someone’s yard.
If you want to know the whole story, and see the neighbourhood eerily intact, but devoid of life, then go here: Beachwood Estates. It continues to be one of the busiest pages on this website and more so recently on account of it, or rather what’s left, appearing in that HBO series.
Short Subjects: Reports that are short and sweet in nature. Think silly little snippets, vignettes and things of that sort. You’ll be in and out in no time.
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 👇
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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.
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