Days gone by

By Joan Janzen

Harvest operations are being completed early this year. Some communities celebrate history during this time of year by bringing out the antique harvesting equipment and putting on a demonstration for the public. However, it’s interesting to look at photos from the past, when those threshing machines were actually utilized to harvest crops on the prairies.

These photos were captured in Acadia Valley’s history book “Times to Remember”. Even though it was time consuming physical labour, the work crews paused for a few moments while a family member snapped a photo with a large and bulky camera. Some of the names mentioned may still sound familiar in the area.

Photos from Times to Remember

The Header Box was invented and patented by Herb Hallman, preceded combines. Blueprints and directions to build were sold for $50 during hard times.

Vasil Skappak’s threshing outfit in 1933.

Merritt Francis’ harvesting equipment.