The Old General Store

I have been working with gradients in Adobe Photoshop and I discovered how to make these cool B/W photos that look like they have been sitting in the attic for 100 years. This photo was taken only weeks ago.

The Clayburn Village General Store was built at the turn of the century and when you walk into this building, it looks and feels like it. Actually, it reminds me of my father's store in Lanigan, Saskatchewan that was built about the same time, but was only 1 1/2 stories tall. The ceilings are very high, the shelves very tall, and the floor crooked. The owners live above the store and I did some work for them a number of years ago, and it is just as old upstairs as down. It may be a sound structure, but it does not feel that way.  

It is a popular spot for a mid-morning bowl of their famous home-made soup or afternoon tea. The proprietors are friendly and personable and the place certainly does have atmosphere. When you are done in the small eating area, you can wander over to the amazing candy counters where you can purchase the most exotic candies and almost everything is imported from Britain. Candy canes, bubble gum of all sizes, jaw breakers, hard candy, and lolly pops are all available. It is an experience walking into this store.

And, of course, it is constructed of the obligatory red Clayburn brick. They still look good after all these years. The one thing I could never figure out about this village is that it is a long ways from the actual mine and brick factory. It is a long and winding road across the bottom of Sumas Mountain between the two locations.

Clayburn Village Living

I like this welcoming banner, but strangely enough, it can only be seen on a side street.

I have driven down this street countless times over the years, on my way to work in the Clayburn Hills subdivisions and at Cedar Springs, the premium townhouse development in town. I have always wanted to pause a moment and photograph some of these homes, but it is a very busy street and there is no shoulder on which to pull over and take a photo.

One day in October, I just decided to do it, but I think I caused a bit of road rage as I stopped at will.

Each home has a unique flare and the thing they all have in common is their age and the fact that each one is constructed of Clayburn Brick.

Some are pretty much original,

and others have been nicely renovated.

They show best in Autumn when the red leaves blend in with the reddish orange bricks.

Tomorrow, the store.

A Local Attraction

Many people here think they have seen Clayburn Village because they have driven through on Clayburn Road, but off on the side streets, there a few little treasures. This is an historic little place, once the home of the employees of the Clayburn Brick Company.  

The old school house has been preserved, but not exactly refurbished. I was asked to quote on doing some extensive work here a few years ago, but my bid was rejected, as were the bids of several other contractors. The society had no idea of the costs involved and were probably just testing the waters. But it was my opportunity to see the interesting nooks and crannies of this old school house, not unlike the school of my boyhood years.

Across the street is a fine old church, constructed of Clayburn Brick, naturally.

It is still used as a church. I have not been inside this building,

But would love to see what is on the other side of those doors.

Tomorrow, some of the homes and the old country store of Clayburn village.  

When is a Barn not a Barn?

I mentioned the other day that I was contemplating a new Blog project this winter featuring some of the architecture of my little city in the country. One of the structures I had in mind was our agricultural research center. We are primarily a farm driven economy here so it makes sense that we have research facilities at hand. This hi-tech project is housed in barn style buildings with a unique flare and the Autumn colours enhance the style and colour of the various structures. These buildings are easily spotted from the Trans Canada Highway but these photos were taken from the 'back side'.