Wrentham and the Last Wooden Ogilvie Elevator

How many times have you seen an old church or other old building and though to yourself, 'it'd be cool to own something like that'. Or is that just me and a few of my friends? I have seen old churches converted to businesses and homes and have seen a few for sale recently. I would totally live in one. Renovated, of course. My family does not get it. I always worry for the future of these old places. If I can't buy all the places...WHO WILL?

What about a grain elevator? How cool would it be to own a grain elevator? They are rapidly disappearing from our prairie landscape and there are only a handful of people who seem to care enough to do something about it. I know a few of these people and recently visited their elevator in the hamlet of Wrentham, AB. Wrentham is located in Southern Alberta, less than an hour from the US Border. It is home to a handful of residents, some old buildings, and 2 elevators.

The elevator in question was built in 1925 by the Ogilvie Flour Mills Company. Not familiar with Ogilvie? Neither was I. When Ogilvie sold off their elevators to the bigger grain companies (Alberta Wheat Pool, United Grain Growers, Saskatchewan Pool, or Federal Grain) in the late 1950s, their comparatively small elevators weren't needed and many were demolished, though a few survived being used as additional storage for the larger companies. The one in Wrentham was purchased by Alberta Wheat Pool in 1958 and served as an annex for their adjacent grain elevator until it was then sold to a local farmer in 1968 for him to use as storage for his grain. It remained in his family ownership until his son was ready to retire in the mid 2000s. This set off a chain of events that lead to the elevator being purchased by the Ogilvie Wooden Grain Elevator Society (OWGES) in December of 2014.

The goal of OWGES is to raise money to preserve this unique elevator and awareness of being the last ‘Ogilvie Flour’ branded wooden grain elevator left in the province of Alberta. The intention is to restore the elevator on its original site and create a working museum. Additionally, a Provincial Historic designation is pending for this wooden beauty.  The once dormant Canadian Pacific Railway line to the north of the elevator was re-instated in the fall of 2016 by Forty Mile Rail, a farmer group based out of Foremost, AB that operates a grain train moving grain from Stirling to Foremost.

The East and West faces read
'Ogilvie Flour', still faintly visible.
The South face said 'Miracle Feeds',
a brand sold by Ogilvie.

 

Once there was 2 more elevators in between these.

Former Alberta Wheat Pool Elevator

There are a few buildings on 'Main Street', including the Wrentham General Store which was opened in 1923 as a gas station and garage. The second building was added in about 1927 and became the store. The inside still has many of the original features. It received it's historic designation in 1997. It is sad to see it in this condition.

Wrentham General Store. 

Formerly Citizens Lumber Co. Ltd. 

Must love trucks.

Want more?! Here are some links regarding the Ogilvie Wooden Grain Elevator:

OWGES Facebook Page
Off the Beaten Path Aug 2014
CBC Article March 2015
Calgary Herald Article March 2015
Confessions of a Train Geek April 2016
Forgotten Alberta August 2016
Off the Beaten Path July 2017
DanOCan September 2017

I'd like to give a special thank you to Jason Paul Sailer for providing invaluable info about the elevator and OWGES and for answering lots and lots of questions. Also, a shout out to Cody Kapscos and Chris Doering for always answering my questions. You guys are all awesome! If it works out next time I am down there, I'd love to see inside the elevator.

Photos taken on November 25th, 2017.

Abandonment Issues

Lace curtains frame the closed windows. The only breeze now blows through a broken window in the door. There's picket fenced yards in the front and back, but no kids play here anymore. 

This homestead is haunting and beautiful. It's isolated location speaks to the tenacity of it's inhabitants. A town used to be nearby along a rail line. That line is gone and a ghost town remains. 

There was much more to see here, that I didn't get photos of. 2 foundations were visible as well as several outbuildings of varying sizes. This places deserves a return trip when I have more time.

Photos taken on November 26th, 2017.

That's a Wrap! Part 2: Western Town

Go ahead, make my day...and join me in Western Town. This is part 2 of my excursion to a western movie set south of Calgary, with Chris and Connie of Team BigDoer. If you missed Part 1: Outlaw Camp, view it here, pardner. I can't promise that there won't be more cheesy western idioms in your near future so saddle up...

Western Town had the most buildings to explore of the 3 sets. It also has stunning Rocky Mountain vistas to the west and is bordered by the Highwood River to the south and surrounded by foothills.

Dead Horse

There was all the usual buildings that you'd expect in a western/frontier/boomtown. I discovered buildings used as a general store, church, police, post office, newspaper, hotel, restaurant, barber, freight office and a rail line. You need only go to once place for your mail and shipping, haircuts or having teeth pulled. Talk about convenience! The hotel had a sign above the door that read 'Dead Horse'. I think that's as good of a name as any for this western town.

What I found neat here was that a couple of the buildings had 2 different uses, for example, one end looked like a church the other end looked like a general store. Then boom! TV magic happens and no one ever knows. There was also a building here that was not a set, it was an old building moved here. It looked to me like it was an old schoolhouse originally. Made the town that much more authentic looking.

Next stop: Dead Horse

A did have a scary encounter with a current resident of Dead Horse, a killer pigeon flew out of a door I had opened and scared the bejesus out of me. I screamed pretty loud. Not my finest moment, but I didn't let it get me down. I went back out, guns blazing, and got the job done. I wish I had taken more interior photos but I am drawn to the clouds and scenery with the buildings so most of my photos are outside.

I spent a lot of time wandering around Dead Horse, most of the buildings were open and I was able to check out the insides as well, this is different than my usual exploring trips where I can't enter most of the places. It almost felt wrong! I tried to imagine these places full of furniture and people, horses tied to the posts outside, wagons going down the street and townspeople going about their business. I could just about see and hear Dead Horse bustling with life, horses galloping into town, sounds of boot heels on the wooden boardwalks, a train whistle in the distance and the lively sounds of the up tempo piano music from the saloon. Grab a whisky and enjoy Dead Horse.

Business in the front, church in the back.

Actual old building now used as a set

Dead Horse Hotel

Police Detachment

Fancy Drinks!

Shipping & Freight

Mail...Barber!

Thanks again to the Big Doer team, Chris & Connie.

Extra extra! Part 3 (and final part) of this series will be coming soon! Thanks for stopping by, now don't miss the last train out of Dead Horse.

That's a Wrap! Part 1: Outlaw Camp

I recently had the opportunity to hang out with my favourite historian/journalist/photographer team, Chris and Connie of Off The Beaten Path - with Chris & Connie. They do a fabulous job of documenting and sharing places around Alberta, from historic sites, to our amazing natural areas, with some retro and other neat stuff thrown in too! Their informative and fun approach to writing is complimented with stunning photos. I have been following their adventures for awhile and was thrilled to be asked to join them! For this 'assignment' they invited me to tag along to a western movie set south of Calgary. This particular location has been home to many movies, television shows, commercials, and recently a music video.

Outlaw Camp c.2017...or is it?

This phenomenal setting in southern Alberta is located in the foothills and is home to 3 sets, nicknamed: Western Town, Outlaw Camp, and The Ranch. As well as the sets, there is access to livestock, buggies, wagons, and many other props. Everything you need to make an authentic looking period production.

After we were shown the area by the Ranch Manager, and maneuvered our way through pastureland full of cows and calves, we had the place to ourselves to explore and capture on film (technically on a memory card but film sounds better!).

Time to ride into the Outlaw Camp! Looking for something to shoot...with our cameras.

Standing in the Outlaw Camp, nestled at the base of some small hills and a few steps from the Highwood River, you'd never know it was a set. You half expect a posse of lawmen to come over the hill looking for a fugitive. Cue the gunfight!! I even said to myself  'they should have built camp on high ground to see anyone coming'.  Enjoy Outlaw Camp and stay outta trouble!

Stable Your Horse and come in for a whisky!

The old watering hole never closes!

The latest news!

Extra! Extra!

Stay tuned for Part 2: Western Town!


I would like to give another big thanks to team BigDoer, Chris and Connie. I enjoyed myself and learned a few things from watching you guys in action! Such a great evening.