Homesteaders

My word! Today we welcomed on board our coach a lady who is the daughter of one of the original “Homesteaders”.  People who were given parcels of land for free: all they had to do was enter this Frontierland, clear several acres of trees, build and live in a house and support themselves.  All well and good - but they had to find suitable land while the rivers were frozen over, then in just a few short summer months start working the land.

So we heard Joanne Porterfields story about establishing their homestead with a young family of four in tow, living through several severe winters in a “trailer”, home schooling, hunting etc etc. 

So this is Levi, a younger grandson, who has now set up his own homestead - in an even more remote place than this one.  Only 5 miles away, but so inaccessible even his own mother doesnt visit him.  He comes to her home to help when coach tours arrive.  He’s only in his late 20s, but committed to his lifestyle, whereas his older brother left home to go to university.

This outbuilding is surrounded by fireweed, which folklore has it grows to the height snow will reach the following winter!



This is the original homestead.  A one room hut the family of six grew up in.  There are several extensions, including the lower roofed one to the right which was set up as a schoolroom.  Joanne was a schoolteacher and homeschooled her own children, but other homesteaders were finding it a difficult task, so she offered to school the neighbours children along with her own.

The home is surrounded with various outbuildings, for which obviously no planning permission was required!!








Like country properties everywhere, the yard becomes a graveyard for old vehicles.  This is the snow mobile that Joanne used to win a local race.  She is one feisty lady.  We met her, now 85yo and as fit as a flea!