Darrell Noakes Writing and Photography: Portfolio

Show Navigation
back to search results
Info

Inside the Lodge, a former church, Ghostown Blues Bed & Breakfast, Highway 271, 1 km west of Maple Creek, SK

Inside the Lodge, a former church, Ghostown Blues Bed & Breakfast, Highway 271, 1 km west of Maple Creek, SK.

The church was built in the town of Hatton in 1912. Before Hatton was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 1921, followed by the CPR's decision to bypass the town in 1928, the town had become one of the most prosperous in Western Canada.

"More grain was shipped out of Hatton Saskatchewan than any other town in Canada in 1915," says Greg Hisey, owner of Ghostown Blues. "They had nine wooden grain elevators there. It was quite a thriving little community."

The Dirty Thirties all but sealed the fate of Hatton. By 1949, there were only six parishioners left to support the church. The Lutheran Church in Maple Creek bought the building for the remaining value of the mortgage on it, about $400, and moved it to Maple Creek. When the Trans Canada Highway pushed through the prairies, bypassing Hatton for Maple Creek, the town didn't stand much of a chance.

In 1970, the Lutherans built a new church, sending this building across the railroad tracks to be used as a storage shed.

Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download
Filename
2012-08-001-0871-D.tif
Copyright
Darrell Noakes 2012
Image Size
5576x3717 / 59.4MB
Contained in galleries
Ghostown Blues Bed and Breakfast
Inside the Lodge, a former church, Ghostown Blues Bed & Breakfast, Highway 271, 1 km west of Maple Creek, SK. <br /> <br /> The church was built in the town of Hatton in 1912. Before Hatton was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 1921, followed by the CPR's decision to bypass the town in 1928, the town had become one of the most prosperous in Western Canada.<br /> <br /> "More grain was shipped out of Hatton Saskatchewan than any other town in Canada in 1915," says Greg Hisey, owner of Ghostown Blues. "They had nine wooden grain elevators there. It was quite a thriving little community."<br /> <br /> The Dirty Thirties all but sealed the fate of Hatton. By 1949, there were only six parishioners left to support the church. The Lutheran Church in Maple Creek bought the building for the remaining value of the mortgage on it, about $400, and moved it to Maple Creek. When the Trans Canada Highway pushed through the prairies, bypassing Hatton for Maple Creek, the town didn't stand much of a chance.<br /> <br /> In 1970, the Lutherans built a new church, sending this building across the railroad tracks to be used as a storage shed.