Fort San Sanatorium

Seems I am constantly getting e-mails about people asking about Fort San. People seem so think I don't know about it or have not heard about it. Well I have been to many many locations and most of my favorites are not posted online - this is because I want to protect them from vandalism.

However this building has been destroyed including nurses houses, power plant, tunnels & a large part of the main building. Now that most of it is gone and the history along with it I have decided to share it with everyone. Pictures are from 2008 - 2011 when we documented the site on various trips.

Some history.....

Officially opened in 1917, The Fort Qu’Appelle Sanatorium, consisted of 230 sprawling acres of land. Fort San, as it was known, was designed to be almost completely self sufficient, with its own powerhouse, stables, piggery, poultry ranch, and a five acre garden. Through the persistence and diligence of the Anti-Tuberculosis League and Dr. G. Ferguson, patients from all across Saskatchewan were brought to Fort San via train and horse drawn buggy, entering into a community dedicated to the eradication of TB.

At its peak, Fort San could accommodate 358 patients and a vibrant community emerged through activities such as the drama club, the jazz band, and the internal radio program while the facility provided an environment of rest, good food, fresh air, and relaxation.

In 1918, World War I veterans created an extensive library at Fort San; books on the subject of tuberculosis were purchased so patients could educate themselves on the disease during the long hours of recuperation. This literary enlightenment led to the creation of The Sanatorium Journal composed of poems and musings that eventually turned into The Valley Echo, a publication that consisted of articles on tuberculosis and the sanatorium, as well as humorous essays and advertisements.

Throughout five decades, thousands of patients spent long months—and sometimes years—at Fort San. For some, it was a respite from poverty and labour; for others, it was a place of suffering and loss.

Through massive screening and prevention programs, as well as through new drug therapy, the number of tuberculosis patients declined significantly by the 1960s. In 1972, Fort San was no longer needed and the tuberculosis facility was closed.

http://quappelle.mendel.ca/en/fortsan/lifeandbreath/index.html

 

For full history and lots more pictures visit my website: http://www.vanishedcompass.com/fort-san.html

deer lodge prison

This trip became a little touristy we decide to see some amazing large abandoned buildings that were historic sites. We chose sites that had not been restored but instead preserved in their decaying state. This prison was the perfect location to see. Part of many other museums the prison was what we came to see.

guard tunnels

theater

old theater

chapel

view of the old theater

bannack - ghost town

Bannack is a tourist town, and usually we don't do tourist ghost towns but this one is quite unique. This old mining town was completely abandoned and has some beautiful old buildings. We visited all the open buildings and were fortunate to find a worker who let us into the Masonic Hall which had a schoolhouse on the bottom. A very unique building we are told they still have meetings here and a bit about its history. The hotel was my favorite building as it had a spiral staircase and can still be used for events. The whole town has a fascinating history and the houses have not been restored but instead are in their natural decaying state but protected by the state.

Many many houses and shops lined the street, an old mill can also be seen and a graveyard. This unique town was well worth our time and a small fee.

"Bannack was founded in 1862 when John White discovered gold on Grasshopper Creek. As news of the gold strike spread many prospectors and businessmen rushed to Bannack hoping to strike it rich. In 1864, Bannack was named as the first Territorial Capital of Montana. Remaining in Bannack for only a short time, the Capital moved on to Virginia City. In 1863 gold had been discovered near Virginia City and at that time many prospectors left Bannack in hopes of finding the mother lode in Virginia City. However, some people stayed in Bannack and explored the use of further mining techniques. From the late 1860's to the 1930's, Bannack continued as a mining town with a fluctuating population. By the 1950's gold workings had dwindled and most folks had moved on. At that point the State of Montana declared Bannack a State Park. Today, over sixty structures remain standing, most of which can be explored."

http://www.bannack.org/

School interior

School interior

Hotel Interior

Hotel Meade

Inside the church

Masonic Temple & School

castle in saskatchewan!

I have searched for this house for years. I know approx. where it was but could never find it. Well this year I made it my mission to locate it. Not only did I find this farmhouse, I also gott approval from the owners to photograph this fantastic farmhouse.

I was not disappointed. This beautiful stone castle is built beside a small lake and is over a 100 years old. Its unique architecture built in field stone is one a kind on Saskatchewan.

Great Race 2012

We participated in what is known as the "Great Race". It's where teams form and compete in a scavenger hunt including tasks that relate to Urban Exploration. This all takes place on a website known as Deggi5. We participated in this race last year and decided we would participate again this year. Usually we just plan a trip on the may long weekend, and it usually corresponds with the great race so we participate. Although this year we lost a team member and spent half the race sleeping but we did alright and did complete many tasks - considering the task list favors those in the states. I participated of course with Saskurbex and we did not have a team name but our sign name was "paranormal prairie pirate"- which i assume was given to us because last year we were the prairie pirates.

Here are a couple pictures from tasks on the list...

 Picture of Weyburn Mental, I am pointing to where we are a standing in relation to the map as Weyburn Mental is now demolished, but it was a beautiful Kirkbride style asylum.

Christmas decorations - you may recognize them from my annual Christmas post

Doing the YMCA on an abandoned toilet... Not the most enjoyable thing in a pitch black abandoned bathroom in an abandoned town hall

  

Trying to light paint a sign and an abandoned church all at once.

Our camera collection in an abandoned church - still missing a few camera's though.