I have tried to try and record to the best of my ability the history of the Landing.
The history on the hall corner as it’s also very important for us all. The school from a little one room to a lovely modern school with bright modern rooms with a bright and modern auditorium, it’s come a long way when I start to compare the little old one roomer. Also a well kept play ground.
Back in the 50s we had a skating rink north of the present school building. Then our community hall. This hall has been the centre of our community for 50 years. It was built in the 1923 by the locals and was managed by the farmers institute for many years. Now the recreation committee have taken it over.
The building has had many alterations all for the better. The roof and the exterior have had some massive changes all for the better. It really stands out. The last renovation project was the biggest. The whole interior was torn out right to the ceiling, walls, windows, bathrooms and kitchen were redone, not only made larger but all new equipment and seating. The whole building is more attractive for renting. Not only did the contractor do a wonderful job but members of the recreation committee put in many hours doing extra work like ramps etc. We are all very proud of our hall.
Years ago there was a large lean-to built onto the west side so this addition has really made the hall much more suitable for a place to serve meals without taking in any of the dance floor. The hall has been used as a movie theatre where Mr. & Mrs. Paddy Caroll would show a movie every week. Then the hall was used as a school, funerals, weddings, dances, musical evenings and auction sales. So the hall has been part of our community big time. How many wedding dances, I am at a loss to say but if the hall could talk it could tell some good stories.
In the early 40s and for some years there was a seed cleaning plant north west of the hall. There were two very large buildings, one for seed storage and one for the plant itself. Timothy seed came from the whole Lakes District and was cleaned, re-bagged and shipped out by rail. The seed was of high quality and was very much in demand.
Joe Sugden and Lee Cooper ran the whole thing. I worked there for about a month but I was just getting over an accident with a horse and I found the 100 pound bags too heavy. After the plant closed up in the 50s the Peeble brothers moved the building to their ranch for storage etc. The sale of the Timothy seed really was a shot in the arm for the local farmers.
The land where these buildings are located was presented to the community by the Long brothers who farmed the land east of the hall corner. This was a very generous donation to the community.
I understand this took place in about 1912. Rev. Sweatenham, an Anglican minister, with the help of the community build the church as it stands today in 1914.
The church which is just across the road from the hall was at one time a very busy church but at the present time it needs some TLC to bring it back again and I’m sure in time it will.
The cemetery has been closed for some years now. One of the main reasons was the graveyard was used before the yard had a proper survey so some of the graves were in the wrong place and over crowded.
The building was used as a school while the little one room school house was being build. As the church was vacant in 1938 and 1939 the seed plant was overloaded and the seed was stored in the church.
The weight of the seed pushed out both walls. Joe Corbett and our dad had Clarence Corliss make up two long rods to pull the building into shape. Clarence Corliss helped them get the rods in place and you can see them today as strong as they were in the 1942.
The church has lots of history too, the bell was donated in memory of Jim Knowles, the old pump organ came from Rose Lake, the alter was donated by Mrs. Nelson of Rose Lake, the fount was donated by Jacob Henkel, the beautiful benches were made by Hugh Cowan.
Wood stoves
Every one has a chimney fire story. We had a couple of good ones.
Lots of folks had stove pipes even going through the upstairs. No wonder there were some bad fires.
One morning and thank heavens there were some men in the store waiting for their mail when my wife Jo came running down the hill with baby Marie in her arms, “The house is one fire.” Earl Deeder led the way up to the house and the pipes were red hot and the wall paper on the wall was on fire. Jo had been washing so Earl took a wet towel and covered the pipes, one other guy threw a bucket of water on the burning wall. Peter Mathews, the ferry captain, and Ellis Christy ran up with a fire extinguisher from the ferry. In a few minutes the fire was out. All we had to do was clean up the mess.
We had a scare before the power came out and we were using gas lamps for the store. It was about 30 below and I filled the two lamps with gas and I lit one. The gas no doubt expanded and blew out the filler plug. It was a blaze. Dad opened the door, I grabbed the blazing lamp and threw it out in the snow, the dog was on fire too. We got the fire out, save the store and I went to the hospital as I was burned quite badly. But I learnt a lesson and a hard one too.
Sad news
It’s a sad week for us all with the passing of two old timers from our Southside; Madge Braaten from Southbank and Flo Critchlow from Chelsatta. They both leave loving families behind and many friends and many memories.
Entertainment
Last week we had the pleasure of the Decker Lake Mennonite Church choir entertain the Tweedsmuir House residents. What beautiful singers, we enjoyed every minute of it, it seemed just too short. Lots of the older hymns brought back such pleasant memories for all.
I would like to thank my family and my very good friend and neighbour Brian Worrall for taking me out to the shop and visit my old stomping grounds. It helped pass the time for me. Thank you all in big letters.
Always remember God loves you and so do I.