Friday, August 17, 2007

Saskatchewan turned 100 in 2005

I realize that's old news, but after I gathered 100 Saskatchewan grain elevator photos I made up a "slideshow-movie" and put it on YouTube. Since Saskatchewan (and Alberta) just celebrated their centennial two years ago, I thought the number 100 was an appropriate way of representing that milestone in our "European" history of the Canadian west.
If you would like to see it go here.
The slides go by rather quickly but I wanted to give the impression of quantity and a sense of their fading glory. I dedicated the slideshow to the many farmers and elevator agents, along with their families, who work so tirelessly so that we can eat.

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Round Barns


The hip-roofed barn is probably the most common sight on the prairies, but the round barns also were built. If you click on the title you'll be directed to a web site that has many photos of round barns in North America. I don't see the one that I'm showing here, so it must be rare. It's located west of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
Farmers built barns to keep their livestock warm and dry, especially in winter. The hayloft (upper storey) was used to store the hay which could be lowered to the ground floor as needed during the long cold winter months.
I really don't know the advantage of round barns. Perhaps someone has researched the rationale for building round barns. All I know is they are more difficult to build and make a great photo.
Farmers grew crops not just to sell but also to feed and bed their livestock. The grain elevator was a common storage place for their "exported" grain and their barns were the storage places for the feed for their animals. Different architecture for different purposes--perhaps these also should be candidates for the wonders of North America.