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Moose Mountains / Kenosee
/ Fish Lake
Saskatchewan
Roughly in Range 2 and 3, Township 9 and
10, W2.
Now this overall
area isn't a Village,
Town, etc,
which is the normal case for my history pages,
but rather for an area of SE Saskatchewan.
But part of this
story below is about the Village of Kenosee
My mother and
father bought a lot at Kenosee
in the early 1960's, from the Hirtle's, see below,
and moved a trailer on the lot,
then expanded with another old building,
that was actually an old granary south of Hirsch.
This was on Spadina St.
We were the last cabin on the left, north end.
When it was done, my dad named it
"Poooped Out"
Everyone, going back to the very beginning
named their cottages.
They kept the cabin for around 10 years,
then sold it, and built a cabin at Boundary Dam,
south of Estevan, to be a little closer to their home.
My Uncle Ed
Gesell owned a cabin, almost across the street,
NE corner of Spadina St and Clarke St.
and the Roy Backman family bought the cabin
directly across the street, SE corner of Spadina St.
and Christina St., I think?,
so it was a family reunion,
on some weekends.
Other relatives
the Nels Backman family
had a cabin at Carlyle Lake.
Our cabin was on land you could buy,
Once you went thru the park gate,
you could only lease your lot in the park.
We used to walk along the lake shore access rd.
to get to the Government Beach,
to go swimming.
The Beach in front of Kenosee Gardens
was OK for boating, but not that great for swimming.
We bought our groceries at Clarke's store.
Also went there to play pin ball games.
When I was a bit older we went to dances there.
special occasions we went to the cafe there.
Our bread, cinnamon buns etc were bought,
at Carlyle Bakery on the way up there.
Still the best bakery anywhere.
In those days it was about an 80 mile drive from Estevan.
we had a 1958 Westminster Austin and a small trailer,
and everything used to build the cabin was hauled on
that little trailer Dad built at Utility Coals.
Every Friday afternoon, we looked like the Clampits!
The Moose Mountains were very
important
to the early settlers, and the even earlier Native population,
mainly for it's supply of wood,
and animals that
claimed that area as their own.
Now even the word "Mountain"
in Saskatchewan
is rather an uncommon word.
More like Hills, not Mountains, in the area.
approx 200 meters higher than the surrounding area.
An area of about 25 miles by
15 miles.
European Settlers came to the
area in 1882.
The Moose Mountain District was crossed by
one of the chief cart trails of the Hudson Bay Co.,
from Fort Garry (Winnipeg) to the western posts.
It contains the Moose
Mountain Provincial Park today,
Kenosee Lake (aka: Fish Lake)
and White Bear Lake (aka: Carlyle Lake) are in this area.
Kenosee is native for Fish
White
Birch and Aspen (Poplar) trees are in abundance.
Area is located about 15km North of Carlyle SK.
Kenosee (Fish) Lake is located in Range 3, Township 10, W2.
July 1919 view
taken by my Aunt Rose Gesell
1879, Lindsay
Alexander Russell,
Surveyor General,
b- Mar 4, 1839, in Quebec
d- Sept 8, 1912 at Arnprior, ON, age 72
buried in Arnprior, Renfrew Co., ON
Russell was picking out the best land,
to be surveyed, in this area.
He resigned in 1885.
He was the son of Alexander "Alex" J. Russell,
and Isabella S. Syme. (McNutt on death cert?)
1889 Lindsay moved to Kingston ON.
1901 they were living in Arnprior ON
married to Harriet Amelia Russell, nee McLachlin
June 10, 1862 in St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa, ON
b- July 9, 1940 in ON, 1841 on marriage cert.
d- Aug 9, 1924 in Arnprior ON, age 85
buried in Arnprior Cemetery
daughter of Daniel McLachlin and Maria Harrington.
1901 shown as an engineer, Civil Servant, on super annuation
Marriage cert says Lindsay Andrew Russell was his name.
and her surname as McLauchlin.
An article from 1978 states
on this site,
could be found the oldest astronomical observatory
in North America.
a ancient Medicine Wheel existed at that time,
on a plateau near the park, on private ranch land.
Age at that time is thought to be 2,000 years ago.
1901 there was a summer log
boarding house at Fish Lake
owned and operated by the
Charles Frederick "Fred" Christopher family.
The Christopher family show up in 1901
in the Glen Adelaide area, east of Fish Lake.
See his Genealogy report below.
The Christopher Trail connected their homestead to
Fish Lake.
Christopher family owned 42 acres
on north side of Fish Lake,
next to the Clarke Property, to the west.
Sold all but 1/2 acre to Henry W. "Hank" Holquist of Regina,
who built the We-non-cha resort.
Holquist later sold to Hugh Boileau Clarke.
See link below for map of the area.
Henry William Holquist
b-
d- Aug 20, 1954, age 73
buried in Regina Cemetery
wife- Jessie Holquist, nee Williams
b- Oct 21, 1876, in ON
d- Aug 11, 1950, age 73,
buried in the same place
she was 2nd oldest daughter of an old Regina
Pioneer family, Mr. Richard Henry Williams,
b- June 13, 1853 in Toronto, ON
founder of Glasgow House,
one of the first grocery stores in Regina.
her mother- Mary Susan Reid.
Williams family came west in 1881,
and by construction train to Regina, in 1882.
Mr. Williams claimed they completed the journey
by Ox Cart to present day Regina.
With Charles Willoughby, a Regina builder,
they built the RCMP Barracks.
Aug 5-6, 1933, Mr H. Holquist took the
Lieutenant-Governor of SK, H. E. Munroe,
and his family for a boat ride at We-Non-Cha Beach.
1905 Captain
"Skipper" Powell was
Forest Ranger,
and Park Guardian, for the Moose Mountains,
and Fish Lake.
David M. T. Powell
David Powell claimed he was a distant relative of Sir Baden-Powell,
who was
born: Robert Stephenson Smyth Powell,
and was the founder of the Boy Scouts.
Robert's father was Baden Powell, a Clergyman.
One record says he was his brother, but that is not true.
Captain "Skipper" Powell was known as the
First White Man to live at Fish Lake.
He was a member of the Masons, attending meetings in Moosomin.
He claimed he fought in the Zulu War, ca 1879, in Africa.
Supposedly a Captain of a boat running guns to Africa at this time.
Found a Captain D. M. J. Powell
who died July 14, 1908 in SK,
from the Probate Will below.
I have also seen David D. T.
Powell
and David T. M. Powell,
as his name.
I believe he was married at one time, and his wife died.
would be nice to find some military record for this guy.
One record says he was sick in Moosomin Hospital ca 1912-13.
But he was deceased by then.
But then I found his will going to probate
in 1909, in Arcola, name, David M. T. Powell
1891 Census- shows David Powell
b- 1844 in East Indies, age 47, single
living in Broadview SK.
Father and Mother shown both born in Wales
His real name was:
David Moberly Tucker Powell
b- Aug 3, 1843 in Madras, Madras, India (per birth reg)
Baptized Sept 28, 1843
d- July 12, 1908 in SK (per headstone)
buried in Moosomin Cemetery, Moosomin, SK
placed in memory by Moosomin Lodge No 7.
Headstone says born in 1844 which I believe is an error
also shows David M. T. Powell as his name, middle names reversed
Father- Reverend Walter
Posthumus Powell D.C.L.
b- 1805 in Bromsgrove, Worchester, England
d- June 8, 1853, in Madras, India, age 48
buried June 9, 1853, in Madras, India
of the Parish of Bampton, in the County of Oxford, when he was married.
he was a Graduate of Oxford University
BA in 1828, MA in 1831, and B.C.L. and D.C.L. in 1836.
Garrison Chaplain, Fort St. George, Madras India
Listed on a Memorial in St. Mary's Anglican Church, Fort St. George, Chennai,
India
mother- Matilda Pecla, Matilda Perla Jones on Marriage record,
b- in Wales possibly, per 1891 SK census
daughter of David Jones of the City of Bristol
parents married June 29, 1830 in Stroud, Gloucester, England
Grandfather- Rev. Walter
Powell
Grandmother- Prudence
Nov 5, 1862, certificate
for 2nd Mate issued in David's name.
Apr 8, 1867 certificate for 1st Mate issued in David's name.
siblings of David:
Sister- Matilda Prudence Powell
Brother- George Marshall Tayler Powell
Brother- John Powell
Brother- James Howell Brian Powell
Bruce in Calgary sent me
a scanned copy of a postcard
ca 1907, sent to Weyburn, showing Captain Powell at Fish Lake SK
Click on thumbnails to enlarge
Postcard Courtesy Bow City Philatelics Ltd., Calgary AB
1905 a new road was in place,
to Fish Lake,
from Arcola, and tourists were entering the area.
A Mr. Marcy had a Summer Hotel in the area.
Can't find a Mr. Marcy in other records.
1906 the lake was 7 miles
long, by 5 miles wide.
The park held Moose, Elk and Red Deer,
Wild ducks, wild geese, partridge, and prairie chickens.
Great Bear Lake named after the great Assiniboia Chieftain.
Numerous beaver in 1908.
At that time one of the largest breeding places,
of the Blue Heron, existed on an Island
in the middle of one of the lakes in the Forest Reserve.
John Rutherford was the Forest Ranger at the time.
He was married to Anne Jane "Annie" Kennedy,
Mar 21, 1888 in Daly, MB
One record says John was the First Park Ranger.
b- Mar 6, 1862 in Scotland
d- Oct 26, 1937 at his home at Kenosee Lake, age 75
buried in Glen Morris Cemetery.
Came to Canada as a young man, ca 1880
first to Winnipeg MB, then Alexander MB.
ca 1900 he came to the Carlyle District.
Farmed 3 miles north of Carlyle.
He left a widow, a son and 2 daughters
1910- 6 miles of road was
built in the reserve.
1911, 8 more miles were added.
20 culverts and 2 bridges were built.
enabled cars from Arcola and Carlyle to
get to Fish Lake.
Many native trails existed in the reserve.
21 miles of these trails were cleared in 1912.
In 1912 the Forestry Branch
were laying out lots
at Fish Lake, on the shore, 50 ft wide, 200 ft deep.
these lots were leased for 10 years.
Proper streets were placed, named after trees and animals.
By 1927 Clarke's Hotel was
established at Fish Lake.
Ray Boilean Clarke owner.
wife Gertrude Beatrice Page
The Forest Ranger's home was at Sandy Bay
Fish lake at that time was 3 miles long and 2 miles wide.
Fish Lake had 4 distinct beaches.
Clarke's Beach, We-non-cha, Sandy Beach, and Arcola Beach.
60 cottages, and 2 hotels existed at this time as well.
Clarke's Hotel had electric lights, and held about 60 people.
It had a lawn tennis court, boats, Motor boats, tents, cots,
camping equipment, and summer cottages, were available there.
A small grocery store, ice cream parlour, and dance hall,
were part of the property.
Marcel's Vagabond Orchestra from Winnipeg,
were playing for the summer.
Pickerel and pike fish were abundant.
Ray Boilean Clarke
died in 1941
Moose Mountain
Park officially opened
July 1, 1932 by Premier J. T. M. Anderson
at the Chalet.
154 sq miles. approx 100,000 acres.
My Grandmother and cousin
on stone wall at the Chalet,
Park headquarters
Kenosee Lake
Stone Chalet was
built in 1932,
by Charles John Parker.
b- May 12, 1874 in Harvey Township, Peterborough Co., ON
d- 1955 in Wawota SK
1901 census age 26, shown as a mason.
father- Lewis Edwin "Louis" Parker Sr.
b- Sept 25, 1844 in Romford Reg Dist, Essex, England
d- ?
Immigrated to Canada in 1863.
(shown as 1868 in 1901 census)
His father was also a part time stone mason
building his home from stone, in Bobcaygeon area,
near Peterborough, ON.
Lewis is shown as a farmer in 1901 census.
Mother- Annette "Annie" Mcduff Laurie Parker, nee Tassie
b- Sept 15, 1846 in Quebec
d-
daughter of John and Ellen Tassie
Lewis and Annie had 12 children by 1901.
They were married Jan 24, 1868 in Victoria Co., ON
Both living in Harvey Township, when they were married.
Lewis was an Ensign in the Volunteer Bobcaygeon Company,
formed to fend off another Fenian Raid ca 1865.
Grandfather of
Charles Parker- Matthew Parker
Grandmother- Laura Elizabeth Boase
b- ca 1807, London England
who were married Oct-Dec 1837 in Falmouth reg dist, Budock, Cornwall
England.
Matthew was 25, from Parish of Clerenwell, London,
son of William Parker, Merchant.
Laura was age 30, from Budock
daughter of Henry Boase, Banker
and Anne Craige
One of Charles's brothers, Henry Bertram Parker, from Harvey township,
age 25, mason, married Charity Dewdney, Jan 10, 1903 at Peterborough.
daughter of Arthur Dewdney and Rebecca Wills,
and a sister to Rebecca wife of Charles.
then we find
Charles John Parker marries a Dewdney as well.
He married Rebecca Wilce Dewdney, Sept 20, 1905, in Victoria Co., ON
b- Mar 1876 in Harvey Township, Peterborough Co., ON
Charles and Rebecca moved in 1912 to Saskatoon,
then to Carcross, south of Moose Jaw to a farm.
SE Section 2, Tsp 10, Rge 28, W2
ca 1930- The family moved from the farm,
and lived in Kennedy SK., in the Moose Mountain area.
He was an Ontario stonemason and contractor.
4 children I know of:
son- Harold John Parker
b- July 24, 1906 in Bobcaygeon, Victoria Co., ON
d-
He also became a Stone Mason
married Aug 1, 1939 in Sheridan Montana.
daughter- Mabel Parker
b- May 1908 in ON
daughter- Ruby Parker
b- Oct 1910 in ON
daughter- Rebecca Edith Parker
b- Oct 21, 1911, in Bobcaygeon, Victoria, ON
Originally the
Chalet was used as a Hotel.
Now the Visitor's Center for the Park.
50 ft x 80 ft., 2 1/2 stories high.
2nd floor contained the dining rooms.
Main floor Lobby, Telephone exchange,
men's bathroom, and stairway.
Attic held 4 bedrooms on east end and same on west end.
Oct 1, 1933 it was gutted by fire and rebuilt the next year.
1933- Park Ranger,
E. P. Coe
1938- Park Ranger,
Mr. Joe Reid
Gardener at the Chalet Mr. Hatfield
Saturday night dances at Kenosee Gardens.
1956- Kenosee
Gardens sold to
Lawrence James Albert Hirtle
b- Jan 10, 1911 at Fort William, ON
d- 1999
son of James Albert Hirtle, and Hanna Laura Wallace.
married Olive Shewchuk, Oct 31, 1941, at Winnipeg MB.
b- Apr 15, 1915 at Ashville, MB
d- Nov 8, 2008, age 93
both buried in Glen Morris Cemetery
Early 70's sold
to Leipert & Jones.
July 5, 1978 the
Village of We-Non-Cha was formed.
Per google maps this is what I refer to as
Village of Kenosee.
Village of
Kenosee exists today,
on what was Clarke, Hirtle property.
Kenosee Park
Post Office History
Federal
Electoral District: Moose Mountain (SK)
Office Opened
July 17, 1933
at the Store
Office Closed- Aug 29, 1969
Office opened
for the Summer, on various dates,
Closed for the Winter, Aug 31 each year
Name of Postmaster |
Date of Birth |
Date of Appointment |
Date of Vacancy |
Cause of Vacancy |
Miss Mary Freeburne |
Apr 23, 1893 |
1933-07-17 |
1937-05-21 |
Resignation |
Mrs. Jane Rowbotham |
|
1937-06-21 |
1938-05-23 |
Resignation |
Miss Dorothy Cunningham |
|
1938-06-20 |
1940-06-05 |
Resignation |
Lawrence Clayton Christenson |
|
1940-07-18 |
1941-05-26 |
Resignation |
Mrs. Jean Irene Dodds |
|
1941-06-23 |
1942-05-27 |
Resignation |
Mrs. Hilda Adeline Connell |
|
1944-08-07 |
Acting |
- |
Mrs. Hilda Adeline Connell |
|
1945-07-06 |
- |
Change of Postmaster |
Hugh Boileau Clarke |
|
1946-07-01 |
Acting |
- |
Hugh Boileau Clarke |
|
1947-06-23 |
1958-04-12 |
Resignation |
James Albert Hirtle |
|
1958-06-16 |
Acting |
- |
Lawrence James Albert Hirtle |
|
1958-07-31 |
1969-08-29 |
Closed |
This reproduction is NOT
represented as an official version of the materials reproduced,
nor as having been made in affiliation with,
or with the endorsement of the National Archives of Canada.
The source of the Post Office material above
is the National Archives of Canada
Kenosee Lake
Post Office History
Federal Electoral District:
Qu'Appelle - Moose Mountain (SK)
Office Opened
June 3, 1974
Name of Postmaster |
Date of Appointment |
Date of Vacancy |
Cause of Vacancy |
Mrs. K.
LaDouceur |
1974-06-03 |
1975-08-16 |
Resignation |
Kenosee Gardens |
1975-09-10 |
1982-08-03 |
Resignation |
Lorne Sproat |
1982-08-04 |
Acting |
- |
This reproduction is NOT
represented as an official version of the materials reproduced,
nor as having been made in affiliation with,
or with the endorsement of the National Archives of Canada.
The source of the Post Office material above
is the National Archives of Canada
Charles Frederick Augustus
"Fred" Christopher (Kristofer)
b- Apr 5, 1845 in Wurttemberg Germany
d- Feb 1918
buried in Wawota North Cemetery
b- Buffalo, NY, USA in marriage record, which isn't true.
living in South Norwich, age 24, married, when married
son of Frederick and Caroline Christopher.
His Will went to probate, 1918 in Arcola
Justice of the Peace in Glen Adelaide.
School Trustee and Secretary, as well.
married to Harriet Bethia Christopher, nee Nunn
Jan 21, 1872, Mount Elgin, Dereham, ON
b- July 6, 1854 in Bayham Co, Elgin Co. ON
daughter of John and Charlotte Nunn
United Empire Loyalists
son- Charles
Edwin Christopher
b- 1872
d- 6 days after birth
daughter- Elizabeth "Caroline" "Carrie" Christopher
b- Dec 2, 1873, in Dereham, Oxford, ON
son- Albert Merritt Christopher
b- May 30, 1875, in Dereham, Oxford, ON
May 20, 1875 in 1901 census
daughter- Martha Christopher
b- 1877 in ON
son- Edward Christopher
b- 1878 in ON
son- Dennis
Tulley Christopher
b- May 9, 1881 in ON
Dennis Tulley Christopher
Bio
son- George Christopher
b- July 24, 1882 in ON
daughter- Mabel Christopher
b- Jan 17, 1884 in ON
son- James "Jim" Christopher
b- Sept 25, 1885 in ON
d- buried in Nipawin
daughter- Annie "Anna" Christopher
b- June 24, 1887 in ON
daughter- Alto "Alta" I. Christopher
b- Apr 24, 1890 in ON
daughter- Florence Christopher
b- May 5, 1891 in ON
Myrtle Evelina Christopher
b- Sept 14, 1893 in NWT
d- spring 1894
daughter- Harriet "Ellen" Christopher
b- Aug 18, 1895 in NWT
son- Elwood Hobson Christopher (Edward?)
b- Oct 19, 1898, NWT
d- age 4 months
In 1849, the
Guidzdorfor Family left their home in Wurttemberg, Germany
the family name was changed to Christopher in America
Moved to Canada, got married in Canada,
in 1893 moved to what is today Saskatchewan.
Homesteaded SW 18-10-1 W2
1899 bought Percy Fripp property at Kenosee Lake
7 miles west of their homestead.
1897 started Saints Rest Resort in NE corner of Kenosee Lake.
Tumble Inn built in 1909 by 2 of the Christopher children, Jim and ?.
sold to Henry Holquist.
more detailed
info here,
Note- not my site
http://home.primus.ca/~lstitt/s_chris.htm#MARRY
Ext Link
Carlyle History book
http://www.ourroots.ca/e/page.aspx?id=3595867
Chalet
http://gallery.reginaphotoclub.com/leaston/Stone-Buildings-Saskatchewan/Kenosee_lake_Chalet_CRW_2307_JFR_copy.jpg.html
More pictures
http://scaa.sk.ca/gallery/PioneeringPhotography/themeframe.php?theme=Recreation
Postcard, inside Chalet
http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/postcards/PC002472.html
http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/postcards/PC011129.html
Kenosee Gardens 1936 postcard
http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/postcards/PC012659.html |