I Wonder When I Wander

I love finding abandoned houses, they fascinate me. I can't help but wonder what happened to the owners? What's the story of this place and that place? I recently happened upon an interesting looking property, I could see 2 houses for sure, and it looked like possibly a 3rd house farther back as well as an outbuilding/shed. The main house is still beautiful, I am sure it was even more so when it was newer and lived in. It's faded exterior suggests it was once yellow with dark red trim. The other house was white with green along the bottom. This home was a bit more obscured by trees so I couldn't really get a good look from the driveway leading up to the property, where I had parked. There was a barbed wire gate across the entrance so I went no further. As I drove away, there was a better view of it from the main road.

Normally I get home, go over my photos, edit them a bit (if needed), post them here or there, potentially make them into a wood photo and then on to the next adventure. However the story for this place was not over. I was contacted by someone who saw my photo on Instagram, he told me his grandfather grew up in the 'yellow' house. I was excited to hear this and messaged him back hoping he didn't think I was some kind of weirdo asking all kinds of questions about the property. Turns out he was very nice and helpful. He told me that the house was lived in until the early 90's. Not only that, but his mother and her 4 sisters grew up in the white house. His mother said they had a coal stove for warmth and in the winter months they had to use a hatchet to hack the ice build up off the front door. The family has been in the area since the early 1900's when his great grandfather and brother arrived from Sweden and founded the town of Falun, which is a hamlet in Central Alberta. Falun, I learned is also the name of a city in Sweden. That's some compelling history to have in your family! 

The property is still owned by the original family and I will keep the location vague as they have had enough trouble with vandalism and trespassing. I would love to get closer to these homes someday and take more photos, you never know how much longer these places will be around. I appreciate learning more about this property and being able to put a story to one of the amazing places I have had the good fortune to find on my back road wanderings. 

Yellow House

White House, with weird giant stuffed animal in front

3rd house? Comes with an appliance!

Bonus!  This amazing house was across the road and a bit north of the other property.