Pope Manitoba: Striking decay of a small railroad community, now ghost town.
Scattered across Canada are the remains of settlements that in their time, were once beautiful and vibrant communities. Some still have structures left behind, some are nothing more than bulldozed foundations. What most have in common is the life that was instilled from the railway being established.
This is Pope, Manitoba. Tucked away in the southwest corner, its fate was ultimately decided by the ever-evolving nature of the CNR railway. In 1905 the rail company was pushing through the area, so it wasn’t long before, in 1909, the community was established along with a train station. I explored this enigmatic little ghost town in the fall of 2021 on a solo trip across Manitoba.
Consisting mainly of Scottish immigrants, the small site grew; with this a dozen or so buildings were erected. Grocery store, post office, blacksmithing, houses, and a grain elevator.
Unfortunately, economic progress and growth comes with its downside. When small rail-side communities such as this one weren’t needed anymore along the mainline, the natural process of abandonment begun. By 1975, the post office—being the last building to support its needs—closed its doors for good, signifying the end of a short but beautiful lifetime of a poignant community.
The Grocery Store:
The original grocery store still had its fair share of character left. The elements haven’t been kind to this building that was probably the Mecca of the community. Closing for good in 1968, it is the last surviving commercial building of this little ghost town. The post office, which was shut down shortly afterward, was attached to the side of the building and went through half a dozen postmasters in its life.
Stepping outside and glancing at this stoic beacon, it wasn’t hard to imagine the beauty in a simpler time.
The Stunning 2 Story:
I almost missed this one. Almost. This dormant, bewildering piece of rural architecture was an ethereal exploration.
Approaching the abandoned two-story home was a surreal experience. The vegetation was thick, and it was an unusually warm day with a relaxing breeze at my back. The branches of the trees that had engulfed this site were gently rasping against the side of the home—as I got closer, the dead wood scattered around the property gave it a definite, menacing approach.
This is one home, like many others I have explored, that is shrouded in mystery. I’m not sure who owned it, or when it was abandoned. But the vibrant life it must have had is evident. Walls adorned with traditional pastel coloring, a large open kitchen, a patio stretching for days; all signs that life here must have been quite serene.
Last house on the right:
“Jehovahs Home”
I ended the ghost town exploration on an unsettling note. I was curious to see what the little bungalow had to offer for character left behind; and I wasn’t disappointed.
The door creaks open and I enter the living room slowly. It’s dark and musty – and I feel the crack of glass below my feet. The living room is trashed and strewn about, but there are books everywhere and I bend down to take a look: Jehovah’s Witness literature was displaced everywhere by the dozens. Looking up I come face to face with a portrait sitting on the TV. Hmm family member?
Decide to move onto the 1 of 2 bedrooms. The door sticks, I can tell it’s dark. As soon as I entered this room I was swarmed by the deafening sound of a thousand flies buzzing in the air. Freezing immediately – I honestly expected to see a decaying human. But all that was left was more religious literature, an empty bed frame and clothes hanging in the closest. Took the wind out of my sails – but we must press on. Unfortunately the photos didn’t come out at all this room. Next time I’ll have my flashlight handy.
The rest of the home is a small amalgamation of different time periods. In its day it would have been a cozy little home by the railway. Like the rest of its fellow decayed residents, it will sit on the prairies dreaming of better times.
