1883 (ca.) - Two typical Bell Farm wooden cottages
Alexander Thom was born in Stratford, Ontario in 1849 and moved to Manitoba in 1880. By May, 1883 he had partnered with Fred V. Bingham to establish a photographic studio in Winnipeg. Individually and as partners, Thom and Bingham photographed many pioneer scenes throughout western Canada. At least four of their images were taken on the Bell Farm, and are preserved at the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan.
Approximately 25 similar cottages and accompanying barns were erected on the Bell Farm between 1882 and 1883. All but six of them were of frame construction. The six stone cottages and adjacent stone barns were provided to the six foremen on the Farm and, in 1884, were connected by telephone to Major Bell’s office at the two storey stone house near the centre of the 10 x 10 mile square farm.
Up to four cottages were located near the corners of adjacent farms, to enable the farmers and their families to have some nearby companionship and to help each other in case of need.
The text on the back of this photo reads as follows: “Hired men’s cottages on the old Bell Farm, Indian Head”. (The word “shacks” was crossed out and replaced with “cottages”.)
SOURCES:
Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan, Bell Family Collection: GM PH 406 (1).
Photo by A.B. Thom, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Memorable Manitobans: Alexander Barton Thom - http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/photographers/thom_ab.shtml
RESEARCH BY:
Frank Korvemaker, Regina, Sask.