Keeler Saskatchewan The Cars Drive By But Seldom Stop Photo Gallery by Mike Stobbs at pbase.com

Keeler Saskatchewan The Cars Drive By But Seldom Stop

Keeler will soon be listed as one more ghost town in rural Saskatchewan. I remember drinking in the hotel and photographed a wedding there in the early 80's. I will be going back to capture more images of this town as it has lot's more to offer.....enjoy........Well as you see I have made it back to Keeler for a fall shoot. Some of the homes have been removed since the summer, there will not me much of Keeler in the near future..........Mike

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Geoff Rasell		22-Mar-2024 22:23
To Erin Cook - I have a Keeler ancestor, whose uncle was Joseph Paul Keeler snr. I have some family history of him before he went to Canada. If you would like to contact me - geoffrasell@hotmail.co.uk

Earl Squires		26-Jul-2022 22:43
My grandparents were Elizabeth and Joseph. They had 6 kids. My mother Edith, Barney, Al, Dunc, Doll, and Norma.

Erin Cook		17-Nov-2020 21:36
I just recently learned through some ancestry research that my great great grandfather is Joseph Paul Keeler Sr. Does anyone on here have any history of the family or know someone I could get in touch with?

Everett Buckmaster		16-Oct-2020 19:04
Grew up on a farm a few miles North of Keeler, my father went to school in Keeler, and I in Brownlee. There wasn't to much left there by the time we left in 1990. I remember my father stopping at the bar a couple time when we'd be driving back from Eyebrow with a truckload of water, poked my head in the door once back then. Remember a couple people playing pool near the front door, and the place was packed beyond that. lots of fowl suppers at the hall, and even a few church services in the early 80's with Joyce! I remember the School bus rolling through town, passed Ron Inverarity's place, and picking up the Matwe's, and a couple others in town. My father would talk about times he rode his bike to town for the mail and a few penny candies. Its a bit sad to see the place you grew up at wither away

Barrie MacKenzie		05-Dec-2017 03:00
Oct. 04/17. On my way home to Edmonton from Manitoba I stopped in at Keeler to take a look around as the last time I was there was in the early 50's when our family visited a few times with Joseph Paul Keeler JR and family. My father Duncan MacKenzie's mother (Beatrice MacKenzie, nee Keeler) apparently stayed back in Winnipeg when her father and some of the other members of the family moved out to the Keeler area and was Joseph JR's sister making Joseph Paul SR my great grandfather. While in Keeler I a had a brief visit with a young man (Adam Keeler) who said his father Wade farmed right across the highway from the town site of Keeler Also, I had a very nice 3 hour visit with a gentleman by the name of (Little) Duncan Keeler who resides at the old Keeler School. I was very surprised that when I introduced myself to Duncan he immediately said he remembered when my family came out for visits in the 50's. I hope to return one day in the near future, the stopover brought back many memories.

Crystal		26-Jul-2017 00:09
Hi Mike, I'm writing an article about the loss of the Keeler Hotel for the MJ Times-Herald. Could you contact me? Thanks

militaire		25-Sep-2015 13:05
Very nice! Voted!

Catholique		02-Sep-2015 09:08
Nice picture:)

gazon		26-Jun-2015 15:51
realy nice, thank you

andrea chometa		05-Apr-2015 01:28
I have wonderful memories of going to keeler to visit my Grandparents John and Myra Aupperle, in the 70s. I remember going to many weddings at keeler hall and I might be wrong about the year but the 75th anniversary of keeler. And my mom Arlene Adams was a school teacher at keeler school in the 1950s. That is where she met my dad Jack Aupperele. Would love to hear from anyone who have memories of my family.

Guest		23-Jan-2015 04:00
Keeler, Saskatchewan was named after my Great Great Grandfather Joseph Paul Keeler Sr. who was one of the first settlers to arrive into that area. Barrie MacKenzie-Edmonton,Alberta

Guest		27-Nov-2014 18:59
My mom{ Shirley Welbourne} was one of the later owners of the Hotel and I must say we lived in many places and the people of Keeler were the nicest ones., it is sad to see the demise of the old Hotel the memories of the fun and the good people are still there long after the buildings are gone that is for sure.......... Gylia Welbourne-Joy /Strathmore , Alberta

Barrie MacKenzie		20-Oct-2014 20:28
Great job of bringing back so many memories of Keeler. My grandmother Alice Beatrice MacKenzie (nee Keeler) was from Keeler and I visited her brother Joseph Keeler and his wife Lizzie a few time in the mid 50's.

krystal		29-Jan-2014 04:31
My grandfather was from keeler this is very interesting would love to vist

krystal		29-Jan-2014 04:30
My grandfather allen palmer was from keeler this is very interesting would love to visit.one day

Penny Grant		05-Nov-2013 16:51
I Read the message from Bernard Draper. It was interesting information on John Adamson. He was was mothers Uncle my G. Uncle. Would love to contact Bernard Draper. My name is Penny Grant

John Henderson		12-Oct-2013 20:51
I recently picked up a hockey team pic of the Keeler Shmohawks and according to Ice Hockey Wiki, Keeler had a team in the 1952-53 and 1953-54 Saskatchewan Intermediate Playoffs. Only result I could find was that Keeler lost to powerful Notre Dame Hounds in the Intermediate B semi finals in 1954. Anyone shed any (more?) "light on this team and maybe some of the guys that played on it?? Thanks very much!! Cheers..

Guest		04-Jul-2012 18:38
Picture 8103 I spent many wonderful summers in this house,,,just retrieved a few pieces of wood to frame a picture of a grain elevator Keeler name broadly displayed on it...looks like the Elevator operated by my Uncle Barney and intend to display it in my LIbrary. My Grandmother and Grandfather Keeler both came to Canada from England whilst very young and homesteaded near Keeler,Randy

Wm R Fowle		04-Jul-2012 18:25
I have very fond memories of summers spent with cousins in keeler in the 50s and I remember there were then quite a lot of businesses there including 2 grocery stores,cafe,farm implement dealers,post office ,school,hotel,bar etc.I have a history book on Keeler that details a pretty active community with a once promising future.My grandfather Fowle was the mayor for many years and postmaster.I suggested to my cousin Jack Mohr that someone should buy up all the lots and start marketing them to people confronted with rising exorbitant costs there as Keeler would be a very short commute to major potash and oil developments and also for that matter to those employed otherwise in Moose Jaw.I would be interested in a few myself.all the utility infrustructure is still there..even a cemetery an old arena and Church and Hall.Very sad that many hundreds of people once called it home,born there,educated there,enlisted and served Canada overseas ,married,raised families and otherwise very soon there will be nothing to mark their having been there but a cemetery and fading memories.Keeler was named after my Greatgrandfather,Randy Fowle

Wm R Fowleandcompany		04-Jul-2012 18:19
I have very fond memories of summers spent with cousins in keeler in the 50s and I remember there were then quite a lot of businesses there including 2 grocery stores,cafe,farm implement dealers,post office ,school,hotel,bar etc.I have a history book on Keeler that details a pretty active community with a once promising future.My grandfather Fowleandcompany was the mayor for many years and postmaster.I suggested to my cousin Jack Mohr that someone should buy up all the lots and start marketing them to people confronted with rising exorbitant costs there as Keeler would be a very short commute to major potash and oil developments and also for that matter to those employed otherwise in Moose Jaw.I would be interested in a few myself.all the utility infrustructure is still there..even a cemetery an old arena and Church and Hall.Very sad that many hundreds of people once called it home,born there,educated there,enlisted and served Canada overseas ,married,raised families and otherwise very soon there will be nothing to mark their having been there but a cemetery and fading memories.Keeler was named after my Greatgrandfather,Randy Fowleandcompany

Guest		07-Apr-2012 20:26
The Keeler Heritage Book which is mentioned a few times below is available to be viewed online. You can look at the pages, and print them. Google the terms "keeler heritage book" VS

terry haight		17-Feb-2012 03:46
we are trying to purchase the heritage book about keeler sask my in laws the haights cliff and laura lived therefor many years

V Sarro		13-Nov-2011 01:01
Nice pictures, found them while looking for information about a "John Adamson" who enlisted in the 28th Canadian Infantry Battalion during WWI, he was from Keeler, SASK (originally Liverpool, GBR). He named his next of kin as Alfred Adamson (also from Keeler). Therefore I wonder if this is the same Alfred mentioned in the other comments on this page. Unfortunately, the author of that message (Bernard Draper) didn't leave his email address. Bernard if you read this, contact me. V. Sarro vsarro@shaw.ca

guest		08-Jun-2011 22:08
Keeler is not in immediate danger of becoming a ghost town. It is still incorporated as a village and has a reeve. There are many bigger towns which cannot say as much.

Jeff		13-Mar-2011 02:58
I am looking for the former homesteads of Charles Holland, and Louis Schwenneker. Does anyone know where near Keller that they were located.

keith		01-Mar-2011 22:13
i lived in the house in pictures 4250and4251 in the late eighties early nineties when shirley welbourne owned the hotel these pictures are great it brings back a lot of memories

Guest		16-Dec-2010 07:11
This is for Lisa Rizo.The O'Connells were my family's closest neighbours. They farmed a half mile east , and a half mile north of us. Lawrence's son Terry and his wife still live and farm the property. Vern, the second son and his wife live and farm about a mile and a half staight south of that. When I was about 11 years old I helped Jean, Lawrence's wife ,with house work and watching the boys on weekends during the spring and once summer was out worked full time until the fall school started. They had hired men to feed,your great grandpa James lived with them as did your Uncle Paul so there was a lot for Jean to do. My brother Larry's middle name is James as he was born on your grandpa's birthday-July 6th. I knew Clarice not as well as she was married to Carl Sheffield (my spelling may not be correct)and lived in Marquis.My family was the Gordon Van Moorlehems. I am the oldest Marlyn also known as Marnie.

Guest		16-Dec-2010 07:08
This is for Lisa Rizo.The O'Connells were my family's closest neighbours. They farmed a half mile east , and a half mile north of us. Lawrence's son Terry and his wife still live and farm the property. Vern, the second son and his wife live and farm about a mile and a half staight south of that. When I was about 11 years old I helped Jean, Lawrence's ,with house work and watching the boys on weekends during the spring and once summer was out worked full time until the fall school started. They had hired men to feed,your great grandpa James lived with them as did your Uncle Paul so there was a lot for Jean to do. My brother Larry's middle name is James as he was born on your grandpa's birthday-July 6th. I knew not as well as she was married to Carl Sheffield (my spelling may not be correct)and lived in Marquis.My family was the Gordon Van Moorlehems. I am the oldest Marlyn also known as Marnie.

Guest		26-Nov-2010 05:42
This study of a town failing is very interesting. Your images are a pictorial history as this evolves before you. Photo journalism in slow motion. I will be curious to see if Keeler escapes it fate as a ghost town or not. While I can't vote on the page I will vote here ~V~

Lisa Rizo		20-Jun-2010 03:05
I have a picture of my mother as a little girl in front of keeler school pictured here!

Lisa Rizo		20-Jun-2010 03:03
my great grandfather James O'connell raised his family in keeler, he came to keeler in 1914 from Minnesota. He raised his children Leo, Paul, Lawrence and Clarice O'Connell. There are still O'Connell's in Marquis, who Lawrence's children. Does anyone remember the O'Connells? Does anyone have stories? I would appreciate anything.

jaiden Friars		07-Jun-2010 20:56
hi sorry i made a mistake on my comment i am doing a project on Keeler for school because thats what i chose to do and id like to find some facts on keeler its a really great place i visit my grandparents here they live in this big blue house

jaiden Friars		07-Jun-2010 20:56
hi sorry i made a mistake on my comment i am doing a project on Keeler for school because thats what i chose to do and id like to find some facts on keeler its a really great place i visit my grandparents here they live in this big blue house

jaiden Friars		07-Jun-2010 20:56
hi sorry i made a mistake on my comment i am doing a project on Keeler for school because thats what i chose to do and id like to find some facts on keeler its a really great place i visit my grandparents here they live in this big blue house

jaiden Friars		07-Jun-2010 20:56
hi sorry i made a mistake on my comment i am doing a project on Keeler for school because thats what i chose to do and id like to find some facts on keeler its a really great place i visit my grandparents here they live in this big blue house

Jaiden		07-Jun-2010 20:51
Hi i visist my Grandma in Keeler its a great place i love it there i wsh i knew how the town looked before i am doing on keeler i got to pick and i decided to choose Keeler because i love it!!

Jaiden		07-Jun-2010 20:51
Hi i visist my Grandma in Keeler its a great place i love it there i wsh i knew how the town looked before i am doing on keeler i got to pick and i decided to choose Keeler because i love it!!

sheryl		23-Mar-2010 02:07
Keeler has many fond memories . My mother Mararet skeoch 30 s and early forties. Grandparents where Anne and Jack Skeoch

Martin McCrae		28-Feb-2010 20:08
My Grandfather's brother David Thomas Parry states in his signing up papers to the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in 1915 that he is a farmer in Keeler. I am assuming that he emigrated from Pitlochry in Scotland and obtained a parcel of land - I have found reference to in Township 48 and also in Township 13 but have no way to interpret this information - Unfortunately he died in France in 1917. Is there anyone who would kindly shed some light on this episode. He died at age 25 so I assume that he came to Canada sometime after 1910. Does anyone know what was happening in Keeler about this time. Many thanks Martin McCrae Scotland

Royce Hetherington		24-Nov-2008 18:16
My Great Grandfathers had a Store in Keeler in 1903.Their Names were Fumerton a nd Hetherington The store was called the Twotons.Any ifo would be appeciated. Royce Hetherington Kelowna B.C.

Royce Hetherington		24-Nov-2008 18:14
My Great Grandfathers had a Store in Keeler in 1903.Their Names were Fumerton a nd Hetherington The store was called the Twotons.Any ifo would be appeciated. Royce Hetherington Kelowna B.C.

Guest		05-Oct-2008 17:46
My great-grandfather immigrated to canada in 1914, and settled in Keeler. He raised his family there, and my mother was born there. I was born in vancouver, and although i've only visited once in keeler, my cousin gave me a book called "history of keeler" i've enjoyed reading of all the family members that lived there.

chantelle		29-Aug-2008 01:05
This is a very big shot in the dark. I am doing some family research. I have discovered the name of a little girl born in keeler in February of 1907. She died tragically, and I am trying to locate arecord of her death. She is Anna Alberta Coates, daughter of Charles Wesley Coates and Annie Kozel. She died around the age of 3, so we are guessing in the year of 1909.

karen mozil		24-Aug-2008 01:10
Pic 8103 is my grandparents old home we used to visit when we were young (Joseph Keeler) and the town was named for my great grandfather-was there for a reunion in July 07 - brought back a lot of old memories Karen

peter sturdy		13-May-2008 02:48
Back in the Dirty Thirties an number of United Churches in central Huron County sent a boxcar of relief supplies to Keeler and I wondered if I could get a copy of nay snaps/ pictures showing the unloading, etc. of any such supplies. Will be very happy to cover any expense. With the present trends in th economy with Saskatchewan in boom and Ontario on the verge of bust perhaps the relief trains will soon be rolling east. Peter Sturdy Goderich Ontario N7A 2V4

Marnie		26-Apr-2008 06:04
I was last in Keeler April 2007 at the hall. Your photos are very much on target. I went to school there for grades 1 to 3. The school house is now a private home owned by the Grandson of the man for whom the town is named. The heritage book on Keeler is sold out and not available however I believe it can be read "online " throught Mount Royal college in Calgary. I took a few pictures of Keeler Aug 2003 and have some old black and white photos taken in the early 1950s. What a difference...it was a booming town with 4 elevators, a train station etc. I am Gordon Van Moorlehem's oldest daughter....Marlyn Toderan

Mike		25-Apr-2008 19:39
Well Keeler can't be too dead, Me and my family just moved there!

Bert Morse		27-Nov-2007 17:40
Looking for book titled: OUR HERITAGE A History of the Keeler Community Reward Bert

Rick Keeler		27-Nov-2007 04:35
Just wondering how Keeler received its name, hope someone has some info thanks

Larry Morse		27-Nov-2007 01:56
Any idea where I would get a Heritage Book that was published for Keeler & District,not sure of the name.my email is angler2@shaw.ca thanks Larry

Bev Sliger		26-Sep-2007 17:41
Wow.Pictures 4250 and 4251 were our home. My parents were George and Minerva (Gren) Cooper. Dad grew up just 2 miles north of town and lived there until 1980. That house was our home and the post office for about 30 or so years. Amazing. Bev Sliger ( Cooper)

disy		14-Jul-2007 20:05
I live there and i all always drive a buggy or you can call it a cart or wagon i'm a girl.

Guest		29-Jun-2007 01:11
Very cool to see Keeler again , My grandparents lived in Keeler John and Myra Aupperle my dad ( John) and his brothers Arnold, Lloyd and Arnold and 1 sister Bea (Nutzhorn). I have wonderful memories of Keeler , my parents met in Keeler when my mom was a teacher there .Last time I drove thru Keeler my grandparents home was still there. GREAT SITE THANKS.

tom		26-Jan-2007 10:07
Hi cool site friends!

amigo		29-Dec-2006 21:33
Hi cool site friend!

Guest		07-Aug-2006 19:51
i lived there when i was young 81 til 90 solodxplex@hotmail.com

Guest		07-Aug-2006 19:50
wow i lived ther

Bernard Draper		12-Jul-2006 03:14
Oh Boy, I didn't read how to send this comment. So I have to do it again...but it's worth it! I like your photo's very poignant! I had come into my possesion a Raf Pilots log book and Canadian Passport from 1918...to 1927 for 2nd Lt. Alfred J Adamson, of Keeler Sask, formerly of Liverpool England. I don't like to relegate this to the "Junk Box", as it is Canadian History so thought I would look to see where "Keeler" was....and thanks to this site, I found it, and the Old pictures..so wonderful...it tells a story. I would like to find any relatives to Mr Adamson, who is long gone now, but was a part of keeler in the formative years, so I can return it to the family...(if any?) Almost an impossiblity....BUT??? Somebody in Keeler one of the 15, or someone around Keeler May know....I have the Pilots Log Book, ( years entry from a learner to a aerobat and commercial pilot, and a passport good fro..Canada to the USA!!! (I never heard of it before)....Good luck and if you know of anyone, you will know where to find me. Bernie

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