Hello from Edmonton, AB. Born in Lanigan, SK and raised in SK. We owned the hotel in Krydor SK from 1950- 1965. Well Done. My father worked the CPR from 1928-1950 . Many of these ghost towns he worked and we travelled through by rail or car. Great Memories. My Grandfather, a blacksmith by trade, fabricated the iron crosses at Maryville Church and many others in this film, throughout northeast Sk and northwest MB. He homesteaded near Garland MB in 1910.
Incredible! That scene of Krydor in Attrell's video showcased the beauty of the prairies in the background. Such a lovely place and so interesting to read of its history there!
A very impressive characteristic about these nearly forgotten small towns is the stone-willed resilience of the few remaining inhabitants who refuse to leave these almost ghost places were they built their lives. Some of this towns will die with them, and the last living memories from times were life and hope filled the now dusty and silent streets will be completely gone. It's sad, but also, fascinating. Some could call them fools, but I bent my knee and have a lot of respect for them. Greetings from the south of Brasil to you.
Hi I am Ukrainian Canadian. My grandparents came from Ukraine and settled in Vernon British Columba Canada. Vernon is known as a Ukrainian town. Many Ukrainians settled here. British Columbia has a large population of Ukrainians. My heart goes out to you for what Putins evil war has done to my mother country. Peace and love to you my friend. My last name is Beblow
Chris, I’m originally from Winnipeg, MB but lived in Saskatoon for 5 years a few years after I was married. Then I moved to southern Ontario living in the suburbs of Toronto. Now retired, my husband and I have retired to a rural community north of Toronto. I’m a prairie girl through and through and have loved discovering your videos. As much as I’ve been busy trying to listen to your info on the different towns, my eyes keep being drawn to the fabulous prairie skies with her amazing shades of blue and fantastic cloud formations. Thank you so much for returning me to my roots. I returned from visiting family in Winnipeg just a few weeks ago and one of my sisters married a fellow from a small town in Manitoba (Arden) that will probably soon disappear off the map. My 4 sisters and I go out to stay in my BIL’s old family home in Arden for a week every year to have a reunion and chance to catch up with each other. My sister now loves living there in the country more than her husband and he prefers to live in their house in Wpg. My sister? She loves the history of the old buildings, the stories of those who lived there so long ago, and of course, the peace and quiet away from the city. While I was out there in September, I saw the northern lights 2 of the nights I was there. I’ve only seen the Aurora Borealis one single time since I moved to ON over 35 years ago and they were so small and insignificant my husband had to convince me they were indeed the AB! 😂 Too much light from too many towns and cities to see the AB here in southern ON. While walking around the old town of Arden, I’m always struck by the never ending horizon and the wind blowing on the long grasses. Such peace!
Hello from spokane wa. These buildings make me so homesick. I grew up farming in wilbur wa. These old buildings cared for someone, defended someone, protected someone. To see them all alone and defensless really sadens me somehow. Your vids are so well done. The time of year and atmosphere are wonderful.❤❤❤
I am 52 and have lived here all my life. I grew up in many small towns that are now dying or dead; Darmody, Neville, Lac Pelletier (the town not the lake resort), Stornoway, and Stenen. I love seeing these videos and I can remember those days. The one on Wroxton, I immediately recognized the Chinese Cafe, the most popular type of small town cafe during my childhood. There is an amazing church east of Stornoway on the 8 hwy.
Born and raised in Saskatchewan and watching from Regina. I’ve always been drawn to photograph old buildings and your beautiful video is motivating me to do more of it! Thanks Chris!
I live in the UK 25 miles north of London, it's very rare to see an abandoned building, being a small country we can't afford to leave a building unoccupied, that's why i'm facinated seeing all those abandoned buildings and towns in Canada, and such beautiful ones too!
I grew up in Smuts Saskatchewan area. Our family farm was located 6 miles SW of Smuts. You could see the churches west of Smuts from my home farm. Lots of memories. Thank-you for sharing
The province of saskatchewan had to be nearly 50% Ukrainian at one point. There are so many even to this day. Regina Sask has a killer Ukrainian Bakery/Deli. It's a must stop if you're ever there.
Hello Chris from Jasper, Texas USA. I really enjoyed watching this tour of old forgotten towns in Canada and thank you very much for taking us along with you. Some beautiful old churches here that look like they belong in Europe, not North America. Never been to Canada before, but now you made me want to go. And im proud your back, ive missed your tour videos. Ed
I live in Saskatchewan too in Swift Current I just found your videos tonight I’m really enjoying them thank you for making them and for loving animals as much as I do 😊
Love this... my in-laws and relatives used to live in Bresaylor (it's pronounced same as the phrase "the tailor"). Your videos make me homesick for Saskatchewan, and I was just there last month!!! Saskatchewan is so beautiful.
Hello from Lloydminster! Moved here from Yorkton 20 years ago. Just last week I was looking through my copy of “Forgotten Saskatchewan” with my little cousins. Love your work!
I am in Wainwright Alberta but grew up in Hatherleigh, 20 minutes away. So many memories. The bar in Whitkow had $bills on the walls, signed by the patrons. Ann and Uhan were the sweetest people.
My father-in-law grew up near Insinger. He moved to Theodore after high school and managed the credit union there. I love seeing these vieeos. I lived in Saskatoon from 82-94. I live in Comox, BC now.
Saskatchewan needs to set up retirement villas and facilities and services in its banana belt to stop the senior population drain. An intelligent provincial government would have done that years ago.
rural manitoba born and raised from near brandon. watching today from n.e. thailand, living here 22 years. love your channel, especially the ones shot in saskatchewan and manitoba because they remind me of home. thankyou.
Bankend, wishart, west bend are in my hometown area of Foam Lake and I know all of those well along with Insinger on the way to Yorkton on the 16. Love these videos. Around Bankend and Wishart there is an old Ukrainian Catholic Church in an old townsite called Holar. My grandparents on my mom’s side are buried there.
@@attrell all that is left is the church nothing else, but it is a beautiful old church. Well at least it was last time I was there about 15 years ago.
Watching from 10 minutes south of fosston, went on date with my wife in the bar and remember going with my dad to elevators....my mom worked in the grocery store for years there. Really cool!
I am so amazed at stumbling on to this video. I have long been fascinated by the abandoned towns here in Saskatchewan especially the old now abandoned churches. Thank you for this video.
My husband and I summered in Langham SK, for 7 years (5 months) then lived in Saskatoon 2 years. I had to move back to the US (Oregon) when hubby (a British/Canadian) died. We used to visit waning towns like that as I am a photographer.
Hello from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories! My grandmother grew up in Insinger, many many years ago. I was lucky enough to drive through there last summer and was amazed by the beauty of the old church there. Thanks for sharing!
Watching from Southern WI, I really enjoy the video and ghost towns. The sky is amazing. Wouldn't that large church with a few white grave stones look beautiful with a sunset or star filled sky. I've been to NB but would love to visit a few of these areas too.
Greetings from Yorkton, SK! I love watching these videos, and soon will be making some of my own for Yorkton! I have been through Insinger, Goodeve, Wroxton, Sintaluta, Candiac (and even know someone who is from Good ol' Goodeve (shout out to you, Zoey!)!). If you want to see a beautiful ghost town church that has been RESTORED, go to Sunset Beach, Sk, and ask someone at the Camp Store to take you to the Cotham church (pronounced CAUGHT-em). Tell them that Hayden DeGrow sent you! They'd love to have the place featured on a video like this!
I think this is your best video yet and your narration has improved as well. 65,000 views shows how much these are appreciated. Keep it up and best regards from Alberta.
Watching and enjoying from Wynndel, BC (just north of Creston). We really enjoy your videos. Thank you for your time and energy producing such good quality videos.
I don't know when Hwy 41 was built, maybe in the mid-1970s. Anyway, I have driven up and down that road regularly ever since then and watched the populations of Alveena and Smuts dwindle away. While Smuts was never that big, people have cared for the church. It hasn't been the case with the Alveena churches. Also in 1926 when my gido first moved to Canada, he lived at Kyrdor with his cousin for a few years so that he could get a homestead. Once they got a farm, my baba and 2 uncles came too. My husband and I were curious about Kydor and visited it a few years ago. It was as you showed in the video. The church is quite interesting. We appreciated that the history of it was on a plaque. If I recall correctly, there was never any central heating, electricity or running water in it. We did see a few familiar names in the graveyard. A big jackrabbit followed us around as we looked at the gravestones. We brought a picnic lunch and ate it in a small campground. The services were limited to a few rickety tables, some firewood, fire pits and an outhouse. Maybe the town wasn't much into modern conveniences. The town must have been much different when my gido lived in the area. Back in the 20s, they were still farming with horses so many more people were required to do farm work than was needed by the 1940s and certainly much more than today.
Watching from Nova Scotia,but lived in Lloydminster for 10 years. Love seeing all the old small towns again and the overall landscape. i miss its beauty!!
I just found your channel this evening and have binge watched several videos. You do a fantastic job filming these towns. The Ukrainian churches are wonderful. I'm from Cincinnati Ohio and I'll be watching more of your videos very soon.
Yes! Writing from Wisconsin. We used to go hunting in this entire area! The Quill Lakes region is incredible. We based ourselves out of Wynyard! We did this fall hunt for almost a decade in the '80s and got to know people there very well. They call this region the Parklands, the transition zone of great plains to boreal forests to the north. This part of the North American continent is quiet and its people are truly nice, down to earth folks lost in a time warp, but in a good way. There is a reason why Saskatchewan is the Land of Living Skies! I'm 53 now, and I still dream of this land. I have to go back in the autumn. I also explored Montana's U.S. 2 and Sw Sask as well, love it all. Qu Appelle valley is cool too! Went as far north as Carrot river and the Cumberland marshes.
Watching from Wynyard Saskatchewan. My wife and i spent our wedding night in the Bankend Hotel- mostly because her large family would never think of looking for us there, and the reception was held in that town's community hall. The hotel was already on its last legs then and it recently went up for auction. I was tempted to put in a bid but good sense prevailed... Love the videos. Having lived her ive watched these little towns dying by degrees- most of them being dependent upon the whim of the railroads and grain companies. Progress can be a painful experience.
I love these towns you show off in Canada. If I could I'd pick one to move to and enjoy the peace and quiet. Every time I watch one of your videos I get this feeling of slight sadness like I miss the place even though I've never been there.
I ENJOY YOUR PROGRAMING VERY MUCH. MY MOTHERS PEOPLE WERE FARMING NEAR SASKATOON, AND WITH THE OUTBREAK OF WAR IN 1914 THEY MOVED TO WESTERN WASHINGTON STATE TO WORK IN THE SAWMILLS FOR VERY GOOD WAGES. LUMBER WAS NEEDED BY THE MILITARY AND THE MILLS MOVED QUICKLY TO MEET THAT DEMAND IN CALIFORNIA, OREGON, WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. YOUR SCENERY IS BEAUTIFUL AND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY AND COMMENTARY ARE WONDERFUL. SASKATCHEWAN AND ALL OF CANADA, LIKE MUCH OF THE WORLD, IS BEAUTIFUL. ... THANK YOU !!!
I spent the first 10 years of my life in Saskatchewan (on a farm south of Mantario and then to the town of Eatonia) after which I left the province. I continued to return on a regular basis for the following 35 years. I have family in Kindersley and a cousin still farms the homestead north of Beadle. I live in Victoria, BC. I saw many changes during this time. It was saddening to watch so many communities literally dry up as the trains ceased their service and people moved away. We were the kids who used to run to the tracks and wave at the engineers and they always waved back. I was also warmed to discover a few of those who had left now returning to their small communities to start their own families in order to give their children the same special kind of childhood they had experienced. When I would go back to visit my dad, we would drive around the country looking at all the old familiar spots as well as the beautifully aged abandoned farms. You couldn't help but wonder about the stories of those who once lived there. I feel it's so important to remember the amazing, resilient and determined folks who took on the monumental challenge of moving to this province and providing the foundation for what it has become today. find a lot
Thanks for posting this, I hail fro Nottingham UK and have a old mate who lives in Saskatoon, so I have been there three times beginning mid 2000"s and last time 2023, My Mate who is a writer and a keen photographer took my out for many a visit to Saskatchewan ghost towns, this brought back a few memories, (loved Fudruckers on Eighth street. good times in Sass.).. also picked up a few ticks, not so good!!!
I have been to Maryville and Insinger. I'm originally from Saskatchewan living in Texas now. You inspire me to explore abandoned places here. Too bad walls couldn't tell stories. :)
I just moved to Stockholm Sask from Niagara Peninsula last year, big culture shock. I find Stockholm super interesting because it's weas settled very early for sask, 1905, it once had a rail line and grain elevators, but now doesn't. Yet somehow has maintained its 300 population for more or less its entire existence. Truly and oddity for small town saskatchewan
Hello! I'm from Huntington Beach, CA, and I just discovered your videos, finding them beautifully filmed and wonderfully narrated. Keep it up! BTW, I 've been to BC, Alberta AND Saskatchewan several times, back in my youth (early 1970's). Canada certainly IS a STUNNINGLY gorgeous country!!
If any of those towns have good internet connection and access to groceries, I wouldn't mind living there. Those towns are fascinating but the skies are so beautiful too.
Howdy from East Vancouver BC. I grew up in Saskatoon during the 1960s-1970s. Both sides of my family have roots in Sask going back 140 years or so. My Mom grew up on a farm near Govan SK. My Dad was born in P.A.; his father was a gov’t grain elevator inspector who lived in several towns in different parts of Sask. After serving in WWII, Dad settled in S’toon and had a lifelong career as an assessor with Revenue Canada. His job entailed driving all over Sask, visiting many of the towns and farms shown in these wonderful videos. I imagine he’d be pretty sad to see what’s become of so many of these places. Dad & Mom retired to Victoria in the 1980s, and lived out their lives there. (Note: before anyone jumps on a Revenue Canada assessor, I can tell you that Dad often *helped* farmers and business owners stay out of trouble with the Feds, by ensuring that their books and returns were done correctly. Very, very rarely was he ever involved with prosecuting anybody.)
@@attrell Hmm, come to think of it I wonder how you inherited your love of driving to towns all around the prairies? Don't tell me you're fascinated by tax returns too? LOL!!
Yes! We used go bird hunting in this entire area back in the late '80s! We based ourselves out of Wynyard, SK. If you go the Quill Lakes in the fall its stunning migration is world renown. Just south of Wynyard is a region of the Touchwood Hills, beautiful. This region is called the Parklands...the border of the northern Boreal forests that go to northwoods oblivion and the Great Plains that go all the way to Texas. In your other videos we used to run all along U.S. 2 in Montana as well. Another beautiful area is the Turtle Mountains on the Manitoba North Dakota border. South West Saskatchewan on up to North Battleford, SK on over to Lake Manitoba is truly a special region and quiet. Gorgeous part of the continent that time is lost. The best part of this area are its people!
Watching from Ottawa, Ontario. My dad grew up in Wishart. Used to work at the garage in town with his brother. Still has the clock from inside, which was restored and is still ticking, and a few other pieces of memorabilia. Thanks for sharing.
I am watching from Stony Plain Alberta. Love your shows. Formative years were Wynyard. Was thinking I’d see the Krasne Church, but thanks for the great info.
Great video, these small/abandoned towns and places are very interesting. And they’d be also great areas for photography in general and Saskatchewan is perfect for its scenery. Greetings from northeast Illinois 👋
Hi Chris, I just want to say I enjoy your videos immensely! I live in a small village in the Ottawa Valley called Eganville, ON. Pop. 1300 if you are ever in this neighbourhood it's called the Jewel of the Bonnechere River. Anyway, what I would like to comment on is that when you shoot the many plaques in these wonderful towns, could you please zoom in a little more so that we may read them. Being an old senior citizen my eyes aren't what they used to be and I would so love to be able to read them if I paused your video. Thank you and keep the videos coming, they are incredible!
Hi Chris! I live in a small village in Vesteraalen, Northern Norway. 140 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Love your videos and pictures of abandoned places in Canada. And as an old carpenter, I love most of all the beautiful old (wooden) buildings. I also do a lot of (night) photography.
The museum in Sintaluta is open but likely only seasonal or just certain days. I live about 2o minutes from there. The mural on the building is the name of the local history book. The elevator is privately owned and used as a seed cleaning plant.
Im in qusnel bc i hich hiked all over westren canada back in the late 60s and 70s camping out as a junior hippy........im rretiered now from the rail road i love this stuff lo l........
Hello, Chris, from Louisville, KY, USA. Beautiful and mesmerizing video. The sky above these abandoned buildings is magnificent. Those Ukrainian chruches are so beautiful, even when they're no longer in use. Thanks for bringing us to places we've never been. I wonder why all the people left, and why the train lines were shut down. Perhaps something could bring people back. I also wonder what these places look like in the middle of a Saskatchewan winter! Maybe like a scene from "Doctor Zhivago." Take care and keep up your good work!
Thanks for the comment. PEople are starting to move back because it is very affordable to live here. About 10 towns that were ghost towns 10 years ago, are no longer ghost towns.
Worked a dairy farm close to Ridgedale. Have been fascinated by old buildings. Had many pictures from around central Alberta where I grew up. Hope you continue to make videos. The history of our land is important to learn an
Greetings also from Saskatchewan! Interesting how anyone else from Saskatchewan seems to be hard to find in the comments. But im happy to see so much interest in our little province from around the world. Good content!
Another great video Chris, thanks so much! I have been to the majority of these places over the years. If memory serves right I was taken for supper to the restaurant in Bankend about 30 odd years ago. The steak was so big the sides were served on a separate plate! I also managed a couple of stops this weekend driving hwy 14 to Macklin. detoured to Adanac and Phippen. Very little left but still worth the detour.
I’m watching from Boston England great video beautiful architecture and history. It’s a shame some of these buildings are eventually just going to collapse what a shame
Really enjoying the videos you put out. Thank you. I visited Saskatchewan in the year 2000 on a fishing trip and stayed in Strasbourg. The local people were very welcoming but thought it quite strange that we'd travelled all the way from the UK to stay there. Watching your videos has got me thinking about making another trip this time a road trip to experience first hand some of the many wonderful places you show. Greetings from Scotland 🏴
Hello from Edmonton, AB. Born in Lanigan, SK and raised in SK. We owned the hotel in Krydor SK from 1950- 1965. Well Done. My father worked the CPR from 1928-1950 . Many of these ghost towns he worked and we travelled through by rail or car. Great Memories. My Grandfather, a blacksmith by trade, fabricated the iron crosses at Maryville Church and many others in this film, throughout northeast Sk and northwest MB. He homesteaded near Garland MB in 1910.
Thanks for sharing, Krydor is still one of my fav towns :)
Incredible! That scene of Krydor in Attrell's video showcased the beauty of the prairies in the background. Such a lovely place and so interesting to read of its history there!
A very impressive characteristic about these nearly forgotten small towns is the stone-willed resilience of the few remaining inhabitants who refuse to leave these almost ghost places were they built their lives. Some of this towns will die with them, and the last living memories from times were life and hope filled the now dusty and silent streets will be completely gone.
It's sad, but also, fascinating.
Some could call them fools, but I bent my knee and have a lot of respect for them.
Greetings from the south of Brasil to you.
Watching from Ukraine, Kyiv. Nice to see recognized architecture of churches. 🥰
Hi I am Ukrainian Canadian. My grandparents came from Ukraine and settled in Vernon British Columba Canada. Vernon is known as a Ukrainian town. Many Ukrainians settled here. British Columbia has a large population of Ukrainians. My heart goes out to you for what Putins evil war has done to my mother country. Peace and love to you my friend. My last name is Beblow
Chris, I’m originally from Winnipeg, MB but lived in Saskatoon for 5 years a few years after I was married. Then I moved to southern Ontario living in the suburbs of Toronto. Now retired, my husband and I have retired to a rural community north of Toronto. I’m a prairie girl through and through and have loved discovering your videos. As much as I’ve been busy trying to listen to your info on the different towns, my eyes keep being drawn to the fabulous prairie skies with her amazing shades of blue and fantastic cloud formations. Thank you so much for returning me to my roots. I returned from visiting family in Winnipeg just a few weeks ago and one of my sisters married a fellow from a small town in Manitoba (Arden) that will probably soon disappear off the map. My 4 sisters and I go out to stay in my BIL’s old family home in Arden for a week every year to have a reunion and chance to catch up with each other. My sister now loves living there in the country more than her husband and he prefers to live in their house in Wpg. My sister? She loves the history of the old buildings, the stories of those who lived there so long ago, and of course, the peace and quiet away from the city. While I was out there in September, I saw the northern lights 2 of the nights I was there. I’ve only seen the Aurora Borealis one single time since I moved to ON over 35 years ago and they were so small and insignificant my husband had to convince me they were indeed the AB! 😂 Too much light from too many towns and cities to see the AB here in southern ON. While walking around the old town of Arden, I’m always struck by the never ending horizon and the wind blowing on the long grasses. Such peace!
Hey thanks for the message! Glad you enjoyed living here.
Why are the streets so wide ? And where did all these folks move too ?
When I go through old ghost towels I get the sense of great sadness. And serenity at the same time.
I want to see a ghost towel😂
@@richardyoung4616 I tried drying of with a ghost towel but it didn't work
My grandparents had a farm in Melfort in the 30’s and 40’s, spent a lot of time there.
Hello from spokane wa. These buildings make me so homesick. I grew up farming in wilbur wa. These old buildings cared for someone, defended someone, protected someone. To see them all alone and defensless really sadens me somehow. Your vids are so well done. The time of year and atmosphere are wonderful.❤❤❤
Wow thank you for watching!
I am watching from Medicine Hat AB. Saskatchewan has / had so many tiny towns. I wish I could travel back in time to see these places alive with life.
Me too!
I remember driving through Hazel which seems like a ghost town.
I am 52 and have lived here all my life. I grew up in many small towns that are now dying or dead; Darmody, Neville, Lac Pelletier (the town not the lake resort), Stornoway, and Stenen. I love seeing these videos and I can remember those days. The one on Wroxton, I immediately recognized the Chinese Cafe, the most popular type of small town cafe during my childhood. There is an amazing church east of Stornoway on the 8 hwy.
Same, fellow mad hatter
The way you present these abandoned places is amazing. I'm watching from Poland.
Thank you very much!
Greetings from Brantford, Ontario! Love these videos, very soothing in a sad way. Saskatchewan is beautiful, the sky goes on forever.
Thanks for watching!
The provincial moto is….”land of living skies”
Born and raised in Saskatchewan and watching from Regina. I’ve always been drawn to photograph old buildings and your beautiful video is motivating me to do more of it! Thanks Chris!
Thanks for watching!
Such architectural treasures in those churches! Hope they're maintained.
Unfortunately no, not all of them.
Many are not
My Grandfather bought a John Deere tractor in Wroxton, back in the 60's. My Dad said it was a busy place back then. I'm originally from Kamsack!
I live in the UK 25 miles north of London, it's very rare to see an abandoned building, being a small country we can't afford to leave a building unoccupied, that's why i'm facinated seeing all those abandoned buildings and towns in Canada, and such beautiful ones too!
Thanks for watching
I've never been out to Saskatchewan; this was incredibly fun to watch and see the country there! What a beautiful province!
I'm from Saskatchewan and I want to visit all of these places so bad!
Thank you!!
i love the way you present these places with respect. thank you!
Thank you!!!
ONE OF THE BEST PARTS of your videos, Chris, is the sound of the wind blowing through the crops and the foliage and the abandoned buildings. Spooky!
Wow, thanks
I grew up in Smuts Saskatchewan area. Our family farm was located 6 miles SW of Smuts. You could see the churches west of Smuts from my home farm. Lots of memories. Thank-you for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Watching from Pretoria, South Africa.
I'm a big Ukrainian supporter.
Watching from USA, formerly from Ukraine. WOW, so many Ukrainian churches in Canada. Thank you for the video.
Thanks for watching. Yes we have TONS of them.
The province of saskatchewan had to be nearly 50% Ukrainian at one point. There are so many even to this day.
Regina Sask has a killer Ukrainian Bakery/Deli. It's a must stop if you're ever there.
I can confirm I was born in sask
Lots of Ukrainian settlers in western Canada, lots of heritage sites plus Ukrainian Catholic churches as well.
Lots of Eastern Europe people period!
Hello Chris from Jasper, Texas USA. I really enjoyed watching this tour of old forgotten towns in Canada and thank you very much for taking us along with you. Some beautiful old churches here that look like they belong in Europe, not North America. Never been to Canada before, but now you made me want to go. And im proud your back, ive missed your tour videos. Ed
Glad you enjoyed it I once lived in Houston as a kid!
I live in Saskatchewan too in Swift Current I just found your videos tonight I’m really enjoying them thank you for making them and for loving animals as much as I do 😊
Awesome! Thank you!
Love this... my in-laws and relatives used to live in Bresaylor (it's pronounced same as the phrase "the tailor"). Your videos make me homesick for Saskatchewan, and I was just there last month!!! Saskatchewan is so beautiful.
Hey thank for watching!
Hi I live in Alberta. I worked in Saskatchewan when I was younger. I love those towns.
Hello from Lloydminster! Moved here from Yorkton 20 years ago. Just last week I was looking through my copy of “Forgotten Saskatchewan” with my little cousins. Love your work!
Wow thank you!
I get melancholy watching these. I was born in Saskatchewan and live in BC now. I always remember my roots.
I am in Wainwright Alberta but grew up in Hatherleigh, 20 minutes away. So many memories. The bar in Whitkow had $bills on the walls, signed by the patrons. Ann and Uhan were the sweetest people.
I remember when that was open
My father-in-law grew up near Insinger. He moved to Theodore after high school and managed the credit union there. I love seeing these vieeos. I lived in Saskatoon from 82-94. I live in Comox, BC now.
Saskatchewan needs to set up retirement villas and facilities and services in its banana belt to stop the senior population drain. An intelligent provincial government would have done that years ago.
I'm watching from Sweden where we haven't got any ghost towns. I find these towns very fascinating and I enjoy the slow pace and quiet in your videos.
Thank you!
Sweden is to small of country, Canada is the second biggest country in the world, so people have move the cities.
@@Juan-gl7csCanada has a government that loves to screw over Saskatchewan and its citizens forcing depopulation upon it.
rural manitoba born and raised from near brandon.
watching today from n.e. thailand, living here 22 years.
love your channel, especially the ones shot in saskatchewan and manitoba because they remind me of home.
thankyou.
Oh wow that is quite a move!
Bankend, wishart, west bend are in my hometown area of Foam Lake and I know all of those well along with Insinger on the way to Yorkton on the 16. Love these videos. Around Bankend and Wishart there is an old Ukrainian Catholic Church in an old townsite called Holar. My grandparents on my mom’s side are buried there.
@@rainman29 my sister got married there
Thanks! I did not know about that town. I will check it out.
@@attrell all that is left is the church nothing else, but it is a beautiful old church. Well at least it was last time I was there about 15 years ago.
My Dad grew up in West bend, my Mom's family was one of the earliest in Foam lake.
Many relatives from Foam Lake, my ex-wife and family.
Watching from 10 minutes south of fosston, went on date with my wife in the bar and remember going with my dad to elevators....my mom worked in the grocery store for years there. Really cool!
Wow! Thanks for watching!
Hi from Germany. Love your Chanel. Thanks for taking us to all this beautiful places.
I am so amazed at stumbling on to this video. I have long been fascinated by the abandoned towns here in Saskatchewan especially the old now abandoned churches. Thank you for this video.
Thanks for watching!
Hello from Saskatchewan. I live 15 minutes from the trestle bridge you took drone footage of.
Great video! I know most of these areas❤
Thank you! Love that bridge.
My husband and I summered in Langham SK, for 7 years (5 months) then lived in Saskatoon 2 years. I had to move back to the US (Oregon) when hubby (a British/Canadian) died. We used to visit waning towns like that as I am a photographer.
You probably visited many of the same towns!
Sorry to hear your husband has past. My condolences.
Is there anywhere to see your old photos? Thank you
Hello from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories! My grandmother grew up in Insinger, many many years ago. I was lucky enough to drive through there last summer and was amazed by the beauty of the old church there. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
Watching from Southern WI, I really enjoy the video and ghost towns. The sky is amazing. Wouldn't that large church with a few white grave stones look beautiful with a sunset or star filled sky. I've been to NB but would love to visit a few of these areas too.
Hello there! And yes, those Churches are in very dark areas of the province and auroras are out often.
Greetings from Yorkton, SK! I love watching these videos, and soon will be making some of my own for Yorkton! I have been through Insinger, Goodeve, Wroxton, Sintaluta, Candiac (and even know someone who is from Good ol' Goodeve (shout out to you, Zoey!)!). If you want to see a beautiful ghost town church that has been RESTORED, go to Sunset Beach, Sk, and ask someone at the Camp Store to take you to the Cotham church (pronounced CAUGHT-em). Tell them that Hayden DeGrow sent you! They'd love to have the place featured on a video like this!
Thank you! I will go check that out
I think this is your best video yet and your narration has improved as well. 65,000 views shows how much these are appreciated. Keep it up and best regards from Alberta.
Wow, thank you!
We live in a special space here on the Saskee prairie. Thank you for showing us.
Thanks for watching!
Hi Chris. Watching from PK (South Asia). Really love the atmosphere and the greenery; it's so soothing.
Thanks for watching!
Watching and enjoying from Wynndel, BC (just north of Creston). We really enjoy your videos. Thank you for your time and energy producing such good quality videos.
Awesome! Thank you!
I don't know when Hwy 41 was built, maybe in the mid-1970s. Anyway, I have driven up and down that road regularly ever since then and watched the populations of Alveena and Smuts dwindle away. While Smuts was never that big, people have cared for the church. It hasn't been the case with the Alveena churches.
Also in 1926 when my gido first moved to Canada, he lived at Kyrdor with his cousin for a few years so that he could get a homestead. Once they got a farm, my baba and 2 uncles came too. My husband and I were curious about Kydor and visited it a few years ago. It was as you showed in the video. The church is quite interesting. We appreciated that the history of it was on a plaque. If I recall correctly, there was never any central heating, electricity or running water in it. We did see a few familiar names in the graveyard. A big jackrabbit followed us around as we looked at the gravestones. We brought a picnic lunch and ate it in a small campground. The services were limited to a few rickety tables, some firewood, fire pits and an outhouse. Maybe the town wasn't much into modern conveniences. The town must have been much different when my gido lived in the area. Back in the 20s, they were still farming with horses so many more people were required to do farm work than was needed by the 1940s and certainly much more than today.
Thanks for sharing. NOt much in Krydor changed either since I visited in 2009
One of your best! So appreciate your cinematography and production values.
Thank you!
Watching from Nova Scotia,but lived in Lloydminster for 10 years. Love seeing all the old small towns again and the overall landscape. i miss its beauty!!
Great job. Love the mellow narration and photography. Thank you
Thanks for watching!
Hello from Martensville sk. I really liked your Sk video that was shot mostly at night with extra lighting 👍
Thanks for watching!!
It is amazing to me that really small towns could thrive so, back in the day.
I just found your channel this evening and have binge watched several videos. You do a fantastic job filming these towns. The Ukrainian churches are wonderful. I'm from Cincinnati Ohio and I'll be watching more of your videos very soon.
Wow thank you!!
Watching from Bangs Texas.
Chris, thank you for all the great videos.
Yes! Writing from Wisconsin. We used to go hunting in this entire area! The Quill Lakes region is incredible. We based ourselves out of Wynyard! We did this fall hunt for almost a decade in the '80s and got to know people there very well. They call this region the Parklands, the transition zone of great plains to boreal forests to the north. This part of the North American continent is quiet and its people are truly nice, down to earth folks lost in a time warp, but in a good way.
There is a reason why Saskatchewan is the Land of Living Skies! I'm 53 now, and I still dream of this land. I have to go back in the autumn.
I also explored Montana's U.S. 2 and Sw Sask as well, love it all. Qu Appelle valley is cool too!
Went as far north as Carrot river and the Cumberland marshes.
Thanks for watching. That area is great, hope your trip goes well. I enjoy MT highway 2 myself.
My grandparents landed in Wroxten from England in 1921, homesteading till the 50's.
Watching from Wynyard Saskatchewan. My wife and i spent our wedding night in the Bankend Hotel- mostly because her large family would never think of looking for us there, and the reception was held in that town's community hall.
The hotel was already on its last legs then and it recently went up for auction. I was tempted to put in a bid but good sense prevailed...
Love the videos. Having lived her ive watched these little towns dying by degrees- most of them being dependent upon the whim of the railroads and grain companies.
Progress can be a painful experience.
GLad you passed on buying that :) Thanks for watching!!
I love these towns you show off in Canada. If I could I'd pick one to move to and enjoy the peace and quiet. Every time I watch one of your videos I get this feeling of slight sadness like I miss the place even though I've never been there.
I do!
I ENJOY YOUR PROGRAMING VERY MUCH. MY MOTHERS PEOPLE WERE FARMING NEAR SASKATOON, AND WITH THE OUTBREAK OF WAR IN 1914 THEY MOVED TO WESTERN WASHINGTON STATE TO WORK IN THE SAWMILLS FOR VERY GOOD WAGES. LUMBER WAS NEEDED BY THE MILITARY AND THE MILLS MOVED QUICKLY TO MEET THAT DEMAND IN CALIFORNIA, OREGON, WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. YOUR SCENERY IS BEAUTIFUL AND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY AND COMMENTARY ARE WONDERFUL. SASKATCHEWAN AND ALL OF CANADA, LIKE MUCH OF THE WORLD, IS BEAUTIFUL. ... THANK YOU !!!
Thank you!
Krydor Is half named after my family! good to see you having a walk around, I remember spending many summers as a child running around town!
I love that town, the photo of the cafe is in my book Forgotten Saskatchewan
watching this from Serbia, Vojvodina
greetings!
Very Nice films Chris.
Greetings from Ljungby Sweden
Watching from Pilot Mound Manitoba. Mid 80's I ran into Eastern Saskatchewan with farm equipment. I remember several of those towns.
I was born in St. Denis , Sask. I now live in the mountains in B C. Nice to see these old places. Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
I spent the first 10 years of my life in Saskatchewan (on a farm south of Mantario and then to the town of Eatonia) after which I left the province. I continued to return on a regular basis for the following 35 years. I have family in Kindersley and a cousin still farms the homestead north of Beadle. I live in Victoria, BC.
I saw many changes during this time. It was saddening to watch so many communities literally dry up as the trains ceased their service and people moved away. We were the kids who used to run to the tracks and wave at the engineers and they always waved back. I was also warmed to discover a few of those who had left now returning to their small communities to start their own families in order to give their children the same special kind of childhood they had experienced.
When I would go back to visit my dad, we would drive around the country looking at all the old familiar spots as well as the beautifully aged abandoned farms. You couldn't help but wonder about the stories of those who once lived there. I feel it's so important to remember the amazing, resilient and determined folks who took on the monumental challenge of moving to this province and providing the foundation for what it has become today.
find a lot
Thanks for posting this, I hail fro Nottingham UK and have a old mate who lives in Saskatoon, so I have been there three times beginning mid 2000"s and last time 2023, My Mate who is a writer and a keen photographer took my out for many a visit to Saskatchewan ghost towns, this brought back a few memories, (loved Fudruckers on Eighth street. good times in Sass.).. also picked up a few ticks, not so good!!!
I'm watching from Serbia
I have been to Maryville and Insinger. I'm originally from Saskatchewan living in Texas now. You inspire me to explore abandoned places here. Too bad walls couldn't tell stories. :)
Thanks for watching!!
Great videos. We've been out west many times and this is great to watch. Hello from Kingston ON
Thanks for watching
I believe your rite about the grocery store in Krydor it was opened when I went there over 35 years ago.
I just moved to Stockholm Sask from Niagara Peninsula last year, big culture shock.
I find Stockholm super interesting because it's weas settled very early for sask, 1905, it once had a rail line and grain elevators, but now doesn't. Yet somehow has maintained its 300 population for more or less its entire existence.
Truly and oddity for small town saskatchewan
I moved to Shaunavon from Banff, I know the shock. Been 18 years and I am glad I did,.
Hey neighbour! Just moved to the area (from Ontario originally) last year as well.
Hello! I'm from Huntington Beach, CA, and I just discovered your videos, finding them beautifully filmed and wonderfully narrated. Keep it up! BTW, I 've been to BC, Alberta AND Saskatchewan several times, back in my youth (early 1970's). Canada certainly IS a STUNNINGLY gorgeous country!!
Hey thank you! Glad you enjoyed your visits to Canada!
If any of those towns have good internet connection and access to groceries, I wouldn't mind living there. Those towns are fascinating but the skies are so beautiful too.
Most do!
Howdy from East Vancouver BC. I grew up in Saskatoon during the 1960s-1970s. Both sides of my family have roots in Sask going back 140 years or so. My Mom grew up on a farm near Govan SK. My Dad was born in P.A.; his father was a gov’t grain elevator inspector who lived in several towns in different parts of Sask. After serving in WWII, Dad settled in S’toon and had a lifelong career as an assessor with Revenue Canada. His job entailed driving all over Sask, visiting many of the towns and farms shown in these wonderful videos. I imagine he’d be pretty sad to see what’s become of so many of these places. Dad & Mom retired to Victoria in the 1980s, and lived out their lives there.
(Note: before anyone jumps on a Revenue Canada assessor, I can tell you that Dad often *helped* farmers and business owners stay out of trouble with the Feds, by ensuring that their books and returns were done correctly. Very, very rarely was he ever involved with prosecuting anybody.)
Thanks for sharing, pretty lucky to have visited all these places.
@@attrell Hmm, come to think of it I wonder how you inherited your love of driving to towns all around the prairies? Don't tell me you're fascinated by tax returns too? LOL!!
Thanks for the very interesting and informative video.
Yes! We used go bird hunting in this entire area back in the late '80s! We based ourselves out of Wynyard, SK. If you go the Quill Lakes in the fall its stunning migration is world renown. Just south of Wynyard is a region of the Touchwood Hills, beautiful. This region is called the Parklands...the border of the northern Boreal forests that go to northwoods oblivion and the Great Plains that go all the way to Texas.
In your other videos we used to run all along U.S. 2 in Montana as well. Another beautiful area is the Turtle Mountains on the Manitoba North Dakota border. South West Saskatchewan on up to North Battleford, SK on over to Lake Manitoba is truly a special region and quiet. Gorgeous part of the continent that time is lost. The best part of this area are its people!
Amazing treat. Well done. Thank you so much
Watching from Saskatoon. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Watching from the Netherlands, Chris. I’m completely fascinated by these places. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
Watching from Ottawa, Ontario. My dad grew up in Wishart. Used to work at the garage in town with his brother. Still has the clock from inside, which was restored and is still ticking, and a few other pieces of memorabilia. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
I am watching from Stony Plain Alberta. Love your shows. Formative years were Wynyard. Was thinking I’d see the Krasne Church, but thanks for the great info.
Thanks for watching!!
Mt Horeb Ontario. Your videos are awesome yet heartbeaking to see hopes and dreams fading away.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks!
Beautiful and quite place . Nice 📹😊
Great video, these small/abandoned towns and places are very interesting. And they’d be also great areas for photography in general and Saskatchewan is perfect for its scenery.
Greetings from northeast Illinois 👋
I agree
Hi Chris, I just want to say I enjoy your videos immensely! I live in a small village in the Ottawa Valley called Eganville, ON. Pop. 1300 if you are ever in this neighbourhood it's called the Jewel of the Bonnechere River. Anyway, what I would like to comment on is that when you shoot the many plaques in these wonderful towns, could you please zoom in a little more so that we may read them. Being an old senior citizen my eyes aren't what they used to be and I would so love to be able to read them if I paused your video. Thank you and keep the videos coming, they are incredible!
Thanks for the tip. And yes that is a great idea, I will do that with all signs!
Hi Chris! I live in a small village in Vesteraalen, Northern Norway. 140 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Love your videos and pictures of abandoned places in Canada. And as an old carpenter, I love most of all the beautiful old (wooden) buildings. I also do a lot of (night) photography.
Thank you! Must get some nice shots up there.
Just outside of westbend, Sk 1/2 mile is Model Farm Church. Beautiful, still standing. Very near to my families homestead.
Thanks! I will go visit that one day.
The museum in Sintaluta is open but likely only seasonal or just certain days. I live about 2o minutes from there. The mural on the building is the name of the local history book. The elevator is privately owned and used as a seed cleaning plant.
Thanks for the info!
Hi Chris. I'm watching this from Calgary AB. Grew up in Hazlet Saskatchewan. Great vid. Keep it up.
Terrific! I missed shooting the elevators at Vesper by 3 months! Wish I had got there in time, that was 2004.
Im in qusnel bc i hich hiked all over westren canada back in the late 60s and 70s camping out as a junior hippy........im rretiered now from the rail road i love this stuff lo l........
Hippy!
What a beautiful place Saskatchewan is, thanks for making these videos!
Watching from Belgium ;)
Thanks for watching!
Hello, Chris, from Louisville, KY, USA. Beautiful and mesmerizing video. The sky above these abandoned buildings is magnificent. Those Ukrainian chruches are so beautiful, even when they're no longer in use. Thanks for bringing us to places we've never been. I wonder why all the people left, and why the train lines were shut down. Perhaps something could bring people back. I also wonder what these places look like in the middle of a Saskatchewan winter! Maybe like a scene from "Doctor Zhivago." Take care and keep up your good work!
Thanks for the comment. PEople are starting to move back because it is very affordable to live here. About 10 towns that were ghost towns 10 years ago, are no longer ghost towns.
Worked a dairy farm close to Ridgedale. Have been fascinated by old buildings. Had many pictures from around central Alberta where I grew up. Hope you continue to make videos. The history of our land is important to learn an
Thank you!
My uncle John McPhaden and family lived in Ridgedale in the 40’s and 50’s
New subscriber here. Really enjoying your content and appreciate your efforts. Keep up the great uploads.
Thanks for watching!
Greetings also from Saskatchewan! Interesting how anyone else from Saskatchewan seems to be hard to find in the comments. But im happy to see so much interest in our little province from around the world. Good content!
Thank you!
Another great video Chris, thanks so much! I have been to the majority of these places over the years. If memory serves right I was taken for supper to the restaurant in Bankend about 30 odd years ago. The steak was so big the sides were served on a separate plate!
I also managed a couple of stops this weekend driving hwy 14 to Macklin. detoured to Adanac and Phippen. Very little left but still worth the detour.
THat is great! I have not been to Phippen yet.
I live in Scotland, and this is great footage. It's like another planet
Thanks for watching!
Wieving this from Norway. Thanks for your great videos.
Thanks for watching!
I live in the Netherlands and i love these kind of video's.
Thanks for watching!
Hello from San Francisco, California
Wow! That is great, thanks for watching!
Watching from Switzerland.
I’m watching from Boston England great video beautiful architecture and history. It’s a shame some of these buildings are eventually just going to collapse what a shame
Really enjoying the videos you put out. Thank you. I visited Saskatchewan in the year 2000 on a fishing trip and stayed in Strasbourg. The local people were very welcoming but thought it quite strange that we'd travelled all the way from the UK to stay there. Watching your videos has got me thinking about making another trip this time a road trip to experience first hand some of the many wonderful places you show. Greetings from Scotland 🏴
Glad your trip went well! Lots of great things to see in Sask!