Located in east central Saskatchewan there was a small town called Hamton. Established in 1913, the population started to decline in 1957. The people left and the town became another ghost town in Saskatchewan.

On my first visit the town had many abandoned homes, community hall and some old businesses. Many of the buildings still had furniture, belongings and other contents. I revisited the site multiple times at which I noticed the community hall was converted into a skate park memorial and many of the houses had been vandalized. The town may be best know for its short yellow bus on main street. 

In an area full of heritage this town did not survive the test of time. Overgrown by the grass and taken over by wild animals this town is a beautiful site to see. Houses remain along gravel streets, old cars and even a short bus sits abandoned. The hall is completely silent and the power lines long cut. This town has a variety of buildings, some in better condition than others, but all abandoned. Unfortunately in 2018, due to safety concerns, the local rural municipality burned everything that remained to the ground.

Many towns in Saskatchewan were formed because of the railway. The railway formed the community by establishing the railway, building grain elevators and stations. There are far more towns along railway lines than not. Today, many of the rail lines are gone but you can still find old maps with these rail lines and the old towns, we have a big one hanging on our wall.

When it comes to abandoned houses in Sasktachewan I tend to lean towards big two storey homes so I did not have high hopes for this one. Not the most fancy house from the outside but wow was the inside a nice surprise! I almost skipped this house... mainly because it  looks small, sealed and a touch boring. I was wrong - it was open and very neat inside. Mostly natural decay, the bedrooms were my favorite with bright colours and curtains swaying in the wind. The stairs leading upstairs had a beautiful solid wood banister! Why the name? There were antlers everywhere! Look at the photo's and you will see them - on the counters, on the ground, big and small. ​

Ever heard of Glasnevin, Saskatchewan? Chances are if you have driven down the Red Coat Trail, also known as Highway 13 or the Ghost Town Trail, you have driven by this place. Not much remains today except this town hall. Right along the highway, it sites alone, a sign of a town that once was. The remains of the elevator can be found nearby.

When we first visited the town hall it was open and the power was still on. It had signs of a wedding reception that took place years before. Today the hall is locked up and no longer has power. If you ever ride the Southern Prairie Railway tourist train from Ogema, you will go right past this hall so keep an eye out!

The Weyburn Mental Hospital, also known as Saskatchewan Hospital, Souris Valley Care Center, Souris Valley Mental Hospital was located in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. It was built in the 1920s and was a mental hospital until the 1970s. It was later used as a care home, school and daycare. It was demolished in 2009 due to the government's lack of vision.

Keeler is not a true ghost town, some residents do remain. The town of Keeler was established in 1904. It had Four grain elevators that were built along the rail line. It wasn’t until 1908 that the first building was built in Keeler. The post office was moved into town that year. Around 1909 the Presbyterian Church was established in the town. In 1911 a second school, Keeler School, opened in town. The Keelerville School remained open until 1959. In 1970 Keeler School closed as well.

The peak population of Keeler was 115 in 1926. Keeler’s population began to decline in the 1930s and 1940s due to the Depression and war. It has been the home of less than fifty people since 1981 and today has not more than fifteen. The grain elevators were destroyed in 1978, two in 1986, and the fourth by the early 1990s. In 1988 the rink was demolished and in 1993 the post office closed.

A few residents do remain in town, including the mayor. Please be respectful when you visit.