The engineers, fireman and railway workers complete with their trusty dog are posing after the completion of the Kootenay Central Railway section from Golden to Fort Steele in the early 1900's.
The Columbia Valley wetlands as they are called today are home to more species of birds than any other part of North America.
Folk Art is fun!
Before the Kootenay Central Railway was built between Golden and Canal Flats the mode of transportation was the paddle wheel boats powered by steam created from wood or coal.
This folk art depicts the steamboat going up the river to Golden after dropping off a prospector and a surveyor. In the corner is a river boat docked at Botts Landing in Brisco.
The boys are contemplating the route for the railway I presume! Its all in the viewers imagination and my imagination is unlimited!
Going for the mail by horseback was a regular event in Brisco in the 1930's up to when I was a young girl.
This folk art painting depicts the young horseman (looking much like my late husband) riding his appaloosa to the Brisco Store to pick up the mail and catch up on the news.
Brisco mail was addresed to "Columbia Valley B.C.".
I've been going to the Brisco Store to pick up the mail, buy a few groceries, mousetraps, chainsaw parts, beer, wine and ice cream for nie on seventy years.
I noticed the sign was missing the other day. Someone should tear mine down and burn it. It is rather messy but don't you just love how young and slim I was 60 years ago. Dad is getting into the ol' model T ford.
Brisco was the stopping place for the riverboats on the Columbia in the early years before there was a highway.
I love roosters, I love chickens, I love eggs!
Roosters are fun to paint. Sometimes they are mean though.
My son Stephen remembers the mean ol rooster that got him down on the ground when he was a little boy. Off came the roosters head with Larrys axe.
We were hippies living on the Nechako River. Goats, chickens, milk cow and garden We milked goats, the cow kicked Sabra, the kids learned to swim in the Nechako. We let the water carry them down the edge of the river and caught them before they drifted away.
The salmon were so thick you could walk on their backs as they made their way up river to spawn.
The no-seeums tortured baby Sabra, the snow was so high we could walk from roof top to roof top.
I hated Prince George, it was the lonliest place on earth, except for Brisco!
Back in the early days the folks from Brisco, Spillimachene, and Galena gathered to worship at St Marks Church.
The building remains there and next Wednesday Brodie Swan will be remembered by his family and friends in the very church made of timbers, chinked with mortar.
Brodie was born in Bagdad, was schooled in England, fought in the World War Two, lived in Zimbabwe and Borneo and raised his family in the Columbia Valley. He was a very interesting and likable man.
Brodie will join Uncle Monty and Uncle Buckeye there in the ever after land. Life goes on here in the Valley!
Tiger Lilys are Orange
Carnations are Blue
My Valentine flowers
Were a gift from you!
