The Strangers in the Box.

These are photos I acquired from Where on Earth? Antique Mall in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada. Unfortunately, the photos do not have much information. Click on thumbnails for larger images.

I think most of the photos are from Circa 1900 and were probably taken in Canada and the U.S.A. Some are printed on postcards with handwriting on the back. One postcard has the photographer's stamp on the back. Some are matted and stamped with the photographer's signature.

The Strangers in the Box.

Come, look with me inside this drawer
In this box I’ve often seen,
At the pictures, black and white, |
Faces proud, still and serene.

I wish I knew the people,
These strangers in the box,
Their names and all their memories
Are lost among the socks.

I wonder what their lives were like,
How did they spend their days?
What about their special times?
I’ll never know their ways.

If only someone would have taken time,
To tell who, what, and when,
Those faces of my heritage
Would come to life again.

Could this become the fate
Of the pictures we take today?
The faces and the memories
 Someday to be tossed away.

Make time to save your pictures,
Seize the opportunity when it knocks,
Or someday you and yours could be
The strangers in the box.

Author: Pam Harazim.

Photographer's signatures.

Baldwin, Sioux City, (Iowa, USA)

Baldwin,  Successor to Beamer, Sioux City, (Iowa, USA)

C.C Du Pois, Melfort, Saskatchewan (Canada.)

I. Hilcell, Artist, Beresford, S.O. Dak (South Dakota, U.S.A)

I. Frad, Photographer, Centerville, S.D. (South Dakota, U.S.A)

Waterworth Studio, Central Avenue. Prince Albert, (Saskatchewan) Canada. Printed on the back of the postcard

Artist, Beresford. (New Brunswick, Canada)

Keller's, Beresford. (New Brunswick, Canada)

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Orphan photo

"The Old Scrapbook" By C. Nathalie Ellen Milliken

It speaks of times now long ago
In a voice so soft and low,

Come, my friend, see what you can see,
Come and take a look at me.

My bright colors are faded and dim, 

But my spirit is bright within,

Pictures of people in days gone by,
Laughing and crying, we know not why,

Cards and pamphlets, and programs old,
What are the stories they have told?

Wrapping paper, an old gift tag,
Pieces of this, and bits of that,

Little treasures that people have saved,
 Celebrations of special days,

So many mem’ries my pages fill,
They’re waiting now to give you a thrill,

So come, my friend, come take a look,
I am a very special old book,

My binding is cracked, but my heart is whole.
Looking at me is like finding gold.

TOKELOSHE ©

The Hulks.

One windy day while we were camping at Saltery Bay Provincial Park, we visited Powell River, on the Sunshine coast of British Columbia, Canada during our 2022 Vacation. We have visited Powell River before, we did some shopping and then did some site seeing.

   

It was challenging to take photos from the viewing point, apparently, there are better viewing points like Willingdon Beach, but we couldn't find them.

   

  

"The Hulks are a string of concrete reinforced ships that have been floated just off the coast of Powell River to create a floating breakwater. This breakwater was made in 1930 to create a log pond for the pulp and paper mill. This was once the largest paper mill in the world and at one point employed 2,500 people." - Wild about BC

"The water was too deep to sink the ships so they had to be floated instead. This is regarded by many as the largest floating breakwater in the world. The best way to see the Hulks is to stop at Townsite Viewpoint along Marine Avenue which gives you an aerial view of this unique floating structure. You won’t need more than a few minutes at the viewpoint but it is definitely worth making a quick stop here." - Wild about BC

The Powell River Floating Breakwater.

 

 "The ancient floating ships have created a large artificial reef, which attracts not just colonies of sea lions, but human scuba divers. To view the Hulks, one must head north from Willingdon Beach, over to the Historic Townsite of Powell River and the Mill Viewpoint." - Janine Cross Blog.

"THE HULKS" - The Abandoned Concrete Ships of Powell River

That sinking feeling – Hulks finally to become artificial reefs

Wooden carving at the viewpoint, by an unknown artist.

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Saltery Bay Provincial Park

TOKELOSHE©

Cape Spear (2019)

“Lighting up the dark so bright…
For all of those who sail by night.”

 

 We re-visited Cape Spear Lighthouse on a lovely sunny day during our St. John's 2019 family vacation.

   

There are many steps to climb and it can get cool, wear practical shoes and bring a jacket.

Exploring Cape Spear, Newfoundland and Labrador

“Cape Spear has two lighthouses – a newer one (1950’s) and the restored original (1830’s).” – Going everywhere

Bleached planks.

“The oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador is located at the most easterly point of land in North America. It has been restored to its 1839 appearance and shows how a lightkeeper and his family might have lived in the mid-19th century. The Visitor Centre contains exhibits on the history of lighthouses and the tradition of lightkeeping. The site is surrounded by spectacular scenery and wildlife such as whales, seabirds and icebergs in season.”  – Parks Canada

"Welcome, come inside."

"The original Cape Spear lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland and the location has been designated a National Historic Site of Canada." - Wikipedia

 

  "In 1836, a white stone lighthouse was built on Canada’s eastern tip and Emanuel Warre became its first keeper, watching over the souls that traversed the rough Atlantic seas into the harbour of St. John’s"- Fly porter.

Inside the old lighthouse.

"Today the historic lighthouse has been restored to its original appearance and furnished as a light keeper's residence from the mid-19th century."-  Gone with the family

Can you imagine carrying the furniture up these steps?

 

  “Because of its proximity to convoy routes during the second World War, a gun batterywas installed at Cape Spear to defend the entrance to St. John’s harbor. Barracks and underground passages leading to the bunkers were built for the use of troops stationed there.’ – Wikipedia

 

  "In 1940 the Canadian and American Permanent Joint Board on Defense saw Cape Spears potential and began building a heavy artillery site here. Two large concrete gun batteries were built into the hillside and were connected by underground tunnels. Built off the tunnels were many large rooms used for ammunition storage and living areas. Administration buildings, barracks, a canteen, and shelters were built nearby as well. "- Hidden Newfoundland.

Posters inside.

Cape Spear Battery And The Blackhead 'Dummy' Battery

The new concrete Cape Spear lighthouse, was constructed in 1955

"The farthest Four Corners of Canada in every cardinal direction hosts a place in the Parks Canada network: Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site to the East; Kluane National Park and Reserve to the West; Point Pelee National Park to the South; and Quttinirpaaq National Park to the North."- 






"Cape Spear National Historic Site is not only historically important, the area is also beautiful and teeming with life. A place of historic significance and of natural beauty, Cape Spear is a fantastic getaway for you and your family."-Home Away.



"Stark white Cape Spear Lighthouse pierces a sky swirling with seabirds atop a craggy headland. It overlooks a vast expanse of indigo ocean where glittering processions of icebergs glide by, Humpback whales breach and pods of porpoises send misty spouts into the Atlantic air."- Historic places day.

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Iceberg Finder.

“From downtown St. John’s, to Cape Spear- explore with St. John’s’ only Hop On Hop Off! Perched on the edge of the North Atlantic,  St. John’s is known for stunning ocean fronts, its brightly coloured Jelly Bean Row houses, its unique culture, history, and more! With tons of sightseeing to do, you won’t want to miss out.” – St. John’s Hop On Hop Off

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Cape Spear Lighthouses, 2015.

TOKELOSHE ©