our campsite at Potter's Pond on the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife RefugeAny time a traveler comes across unfamiliar territory, you can assume a homesteader lived there if there are lilacs on the property. 
photo by kathystanczak.ca
photo by kathystanczak.caThe beautiful flowering bush just doesn't grow in the wild on its own very often. In the spot we camped this week we started seeing clues that somebody had once lived there. I wanted to ask somebody, " Who was Potter of Potter's Pond or who lived here before 1939 when they changed this to a wildlife refuge? "
After noticing the lilacs, we discovered pieces of hand- mixed cement around our site that led us to believe there was a foundation close to where we were camping. Further investigation by JEJ found a old shower drain and pipes. All these clues made us wonder just who had lived here before.
Later that day I took a hike through the grassland into the cedar grove. There was quite a find, but I had to go back and ask JEJ just what in the world I had found. He always seems to know about things like this.
There was a cement- like trough with moss and water that flowed down toward our camp site. It wasn't running much water this time of year.
He explained it was an underground spring and the inhabitants of this land put in their own hand- mixed cement holding tank that kept water close to where they were living. It was like stumbling across another place and time. I was amazed how the whole thing had been preserved.
I am sure the trees around the spring have grown. I am also sure the water has dried up a bit. Now I want to ask more questions and find out if there was a cabin or homestead at this site.
Did they stay after it became a refuge, or did they have to move? Does Potter's Pond right by our site have anything to do with what we found? This week I hope to find some answers.To find other Sunday Scribblings about ask go here.
this morning after the thunderstorm as the mist lifted at Potter's Pond
That's fascinating! I hope you find more information on who lived there. I love all the photos, and I didn't know that about lilacs! I'll have to pay more attention when I see them.
ReplyDeleteYou can just write your own story about who lived there and what they were like.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place!
Love the pics. I, too, am entranced when I see where there were once settlers. My mind whirls, and I make up enitre scenes in my mind of what the people must have been like. What kind of things did they face. Did they have families? Were they happy? I can even hear the voices of those long ago days.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
the place looks beautiful
ReplyDeletePotter's Pond At Morning is a beutiful shot. You really started me when I thought you stumbled upon blooming lilacs! :9
ReplyDeletefun solving that mystery sandy
ReplyDeleteWow! I want to know who lived there too. I'm curious as to why they would leave such a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteYou and JEJ sure make the most out of your camping trips. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful story unfolds with your photos. I loved the lilacs. Update us on what you find next!
ReplyDeleteA mystery the solution to which I anticipate with pleasure! We have had similar experiences at summer place in the redwoods.
ReplyDeleteBack when I could still go hiking we spent a lot of time in the Shenandoah National Park where many of the mountain families were removed in the 1930s when the land was converted to a park. The telltale sign there is to find patches of daffodils growing where there is no longer a structure.
ReplyDeleteForgot to tell you that I really like the photo of the mist at Potter's Pond
ReplyDeleteI googled it -- sounds like there were more than several homesteads vacated for the refuge.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure intrigued.
So glad you shared this trip.