Across the freeway and a mile up the river is Fort Normandeau. This spot on the river was known as the Crossing as it as a good place to cross the river. I've seen kids wade across in September when there is low water. This crossing was known and used by the aboriginals long before the white man came.
In 1884 Robert Mclellan built a stopping house at the crossing. He had some horses ,cattle and grew some crops. In 1885 when the Reil Rebellion occurred the stopping house was taken over by the army and reinforced to make a fort.
Now this area is a very pleasant stopping area for locals and tourists. The Fort was reconstructed in the 1960's as the old one fell into total ruin about ten years before. There is a small museum giving the history of the area. The area is abundant with natural habitat. When I went out last week the Saskatoons were ripe.
The Fort has some chickens and a garden inside the walls. Inside the building there are many artifacts from the 1880's. My first picture inside the Fort and wouldn't you know it, the camera batteries died. So on another trip I will show the inside of the house.
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| The river widens and gets shallow so it's easy to cross |
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| Work up a thirst and get some exercise to get your drink |
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| The Fort garden |
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| Entrance to the house |
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| The Fort chickens |
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| Overall view of the Fort |
It looks a good place for a wander round.
ReplyDeleteAlways pack spare batteries. I usually forget the memory card.
I usually do have spare batteries. This time I slipped up.
DeleteFort Normandeau looks like a place that I would love to visit. I love those chickens!!
ReplyDeleteThere's lots of history to go over in this area.
DeleteWhat a fun area to explore and nice to have treats to eat with the berries.
ReplyDeleteHey, we were out there for a weenie roast!
DeleteI like the views you shared!! That fort is unique and quaint.
ReplyDeleteYou chose a precise word ...quaint.
DeleteWhat an interesting place. Looking at that water, it sure doesn't look like it would be easy to cross there. I'll take your word for it. :-)
ReplyDeleteSince it's wide there it's also shallow so easily crossed.
Deletenice that they rebuilt it for history's sake!
ReplyDeleteIt's fairly realistic and authentic.
Deleteoh interesting picturesand story to be told. oh my that pump outside was one us as a family used at cottage for years. I was just looking at my old picture a month ago how that was our means of drinking water. Nice views I agree with Montanagirl. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHow did we eve survive with untreated water???
DeleteOh, what a great place to visit and explore! And it has chickens, too? That is pretty cool. Looking forward to more photos from a future trip.
ReplyDeleteI've been to many group activities here.
DeleteLooks like a fun place to walk and take in the local history. Nice pictures.
ReplyDeleteSome day i will take my lawn chair and just sit beside the water!
DeleteIsn't that the way! Batteries...
ReplyDeleteThe fort ghosts are giving you the gears!
I'd love to visit your part of the world!
Yes , there's lots to see out west and it's all new compared to Ontario. I like to see the old buildings in Ont.
DeleteI agree with everybody that the fort looks like fun place to visit. Sorry about the batteries. That's happened to me too. I remembering visiting a fort when we were in Canada. You must have quite a few of them.
ReplyDeleteWe're not really loaded with forts. We had many trading posts but they wee not fortified.
DeleteThat looks like a real fort. I first saw those pictures in the "Donald Duck" comics I remember.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing- interesting history of the fort.
ReplyDeleteI recall a small fort in California which fascinated me because it was so completely different to fortified buildings in Europe.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great place to visit! :)
ReplyDeleteOf course I especially like the chickens!
ReplyDelete