Historic Places

It has been the backdrop to family pictures and wedding photos, painted by local artists and photographed for its majesty and reminder of days gone by.  You don't have to travel down the Seven Bridges Road very far before she looms against the valley wall with a stone foundation and hip roof that were typical of prairie design at the turn of the century.  This local landmark, now most often referred to as the Wong barn, was owned by Fred Carss, nephew of Ed Carss, the first man to settle in the Lumsden district in 1881.

In the early 1900's the barn and the yardsite on which it was located was the site of the much anticipated Carssdale Sunday School picnic.  A social event which was held annually, attracting folks from as far away as Regina to share a meal and the fellowship of family, friends and neighbors.  In 1923 the roof of the barn was lost in a tornado and had to be replaced.

In 1929 the barn changed ownership as William McNally purchased it and settled on the farmsite with his wife and four boys.  The McNally's ownership lasted until 1952 when Charlie Wong purchased the property.

From 1948 to 1953 Bert Wills lived on the farm with his parents, William and Dorothy.  During this time the farm was a mixed operation in which the family grew potatoes and grain as well as raising cattle and working horses.  Bert remembers milking cows in the barn and he remembers the cats.  Apparently the cats were a bit of a mystery as every couple of years the 30 or so cats on the farm would disappear.  After a season a few cats would appear and slowly their numbers would increase again.

Charlie Wong continued to raise cattle and to grow potatoes on the land.  Charlie and his sons - Young, Tom and Art - added a turkey farm to the operation.  Their turkeys won awards at the Toronto Royal Exhibition.

Time has taken its toll on this local landmark as evidenced by its crumbling foundation.  What once supported a history rich in agriculture now moves artists to photograph, to sketch and to paint a piece of the past.

Photo courtsey Andrew Meredith