Bulwark: The definitive Ghost Town experience in a quiet corner of Alberta.
For what felt like an eternity throughout my earlier adventures, I waited and waited to visit this stoic community. It would seem fitting that to do this one properly I should bring along a friend to share the experience. This would be the first among many explorations that I shared with my good friend Wade. He is a sensational videographer and for some time we were chasing each other’s shadows. Finally meeting the man behind all the sensational content was elating and exciting – to share a passion with another human being so vividly was a game changer in this hobby.
Pulling up to Bulwark is fascinating in its own accord, surrounded by the expansive Alberta plains – next to what seems to be a derelict gravel pit; one could easily miss it in its entirety. Stepping out of our vehicles and taking in the decayed buildings, Wade and I were transported back in time. Bulwark’s start happened back in the early 1900’s when the Canadian prairies were a haven for settlers to start their lives.
The railroad is always a reoccurring narrative. Sometime from 1914-1916 it had arrived, bringing with it the attraction of prosperity and business. It was a bustling community, at one point had: Post office, General store, hardware, a bank, Dance Hall, two churches, a school, butcher, drug store and most importantly – five grain elevators!
With the decline of railroad services across the province in the early 60’s, there was little left to hang onto when the day-to-day livelihood had been stripped away. This catalyst wiped many communities along conjoining rail lines, like a spreading cancer that could not be rectified.
Today it sits as you see – vacant, no residents and slowly fading away into dust. It’s an amazing site to walk through, the tall wild grass whispering in the wind, the shadows dance from building to building; it doesn’t take much to be overwhelmed with emotion knowing how it all came to an end. There are active dangers, open foundations and large pieces of scrap metal that hide amongst the ruins – to a future explores: caution advised. But sometimes the risk to reward is greater for the search of a good story.
Exploring the ghost town with another explorer expanding on a subject I often touch on: were all connected by history in some way. The fervor Wade had capturing his subject matter on film genuinely impressed me. Calm, assertive, and kind – he dissected the town piece by piece. I learned a great deal about being patient in the moment from him.
As I packed up my gear to leave, he was still taking in the surroundings and exploring with what day light we had left. I knew it was going to be the start of a great friendship – who knew two years later wed be standing in the ruins of Anyox.
In the fall of 2023, I re-visited the site with another explorer from Ontario. Was able to slow down and have some fun with the following shots:
