clackety - click
Back in Time - a trip on the East Line - train and van
I am glad you are coming on our adventure by train to Longworth, then back home by comfy van! I have gone on a couple of jaunts with Ray Olson, who has written "Ghost Towns on the East Line". Ray and his family lived out on the East Line and he has lots of interesting stories to tell. Ray will be our guide on June 20, a Thursday. There will be just seven of us for our day trip. Please bring you own lunch. We have arranged with Grace Apps of Longworth to open up the 100 year old school house/hall for us to eat there. She has lived there since 1980.
the background to our trip, below.... :)
In 1956, Linda Smith is five, with her two brothers Allan and David behind her, at the skating rink behind the Commodore Hotel on First and Quebec, right across from the train station. In the first picture above, the houses behind us, are the three train houses the CN rented to their employees. Dad worked at CN Telegraphs. Our house was 141 Quebec Street. Right behind us was the Dairy and a big open field to play in.! At 9:00 each night a siren could be heard throughout Prince George telling all kids to be off the street and in their homes.! I loved the sounds of trains on the track. Clickety - Clack!
Now, my grandkids are 6 and 3. A couple of years ago, I checked out a trip for us and away we went one day from Prince George. The train west left at 8:00 a.m. The train east left at 9:45 a.m. Perfect! I discovered the East Line and went as far as Sinclair Mills. So many curious places and things to see along the way that left me wondering who and what were out here before now. And why? And then I read Ray's book, "Ghost Towns on the Eastline", following that up with some train trips, drives and a river boat!
Signs for places no longer there, an enchanting store, abandoned churches, homes and vehicles.
Who lived, worked out here? Who is here now?
I call these shadow houses. What stories could they tell?
Wouldn't you love to go exploring?
For sending off a rocket ship perhaps?
Hmmm! I will have to have to drive over there and see what's on the other side.
I would like to see what's up there.
A shadow farm?
What the heck is that?
I have seen that same dome at the train museum.
I could have trained on to Longworth, but didn't. But, was so curious about this area, I looked back, way, way back. Clackety - Click!
all the train stops along the train track east..why so many?
There was once a train station at every stop above - Penny, 1961
There were hundreds of sawmills along the east line.
These were different times on the East Line.
and at least 11 schools right by the tracks, now just one
People moved from here to the community below - why?
and even further back in time - the park before it was a park
Hudson's Bay Fort. Hey, we still have a Hudson's Bay!
The first explorers before the settlers - Alexander Mackenzie and Simon Fraser who were guided and helped by the French and Aboriginal peoples.
who is this fellow?
a sad moment on the Willow River
who is this fellow? He is related to the man in the uniform.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfM_cqOLnE8
the canadian railroad trilogy, by gordon lightfoot, helps us understand the impact of the train on our land and peoples
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI6xSjkcXTY
linda campbell
Email: lindacampbellsel@gmail.com
Location: Prince George, BC, Canada
Phone: 250 961 9260