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Location DB > Canada > Saskatchewan > Smuts > Smuts
 Name
Smuts
 Viewing Options
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 Database Info
created by Stong on 3/20/2010 2:15 AM
last modified by EPOCH6 on 1/15/2019 10:18 PM
 Viewability
Publically Viewable Publically Viewable
This location has been labeled by its creator as Public, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
 Overview
 Description
The old ghost town of Smuts gets plenty of attention online but nobody seems to know a thing about the place. There is re-circulation of the rumor that a virus broke out in Smuts, killing off a significant portion of the population and scaring off the rest, though without any historical sources to point to it's merely speculation. There is talk of hauntings (obligatory for all ghost towns), archived photos with no contextual information, numerous records of the only original structure currently being maintained there (Church of St. John the Baptist) but very little history, and plenty of anecdotal comments here and there.

As of 2018 Smuts, SK has suffered a great deal of vandalism and several structures have been demolished, though at least a dozen structures remain.
 Basic Information
Type: Ghost Town
Status: Abandoned
Accessibility: Easy
Recommendation: check it out if you're nearby
 Physical Information
Address

Smuts, Saskatchewan
Canada
Owner: A local farmer
  • See a map of this location
  •  Hazards
  • asbestos
  • rust
  • unsafe flooring
  • flooding
  • water
  •  Interesting Features
    Great decay
     Security Measures
     Historical Dates
    Built: 0
    Closed: 0
     Required Equipment
  • flashlight
  • gloves
  • long pants / sleeves
  •  Recommended Equipment

     History
    The history of Smuts is foggy and reliable sources are scarce. Here are some anecdotal comments found online:

    "Smuts was named after a British Army officer by the CNR when they built the track from Melfort to Saskatoon. It died out because after the train service was removed, the grain elevators closed and then schools closed soon after."

    "Smuts would have been named for Jan Smuts, who was one of the Boer generals during the Boer War. After the defeat of the Boers he became a prominent South African politician, and supporter of the British Empire. He participated in the First World War. More importantly, during the Second World War he was a leading confidant of Winston Churchill. He lost political power in South Africa with the rise of the Nationalist (apartheid) government."

    "Smuts had two grain elevators at one time. I understand they were moved away many years ago. The church was orginally several miles south of its present location. I have memories of attending mass in this building. But this church - St. John The Baptist - has more significance for me. My father, Stephen Meush, was an artist who did many paintings of icons in this part of Saskatchewan, and some of his work is in this church."

    "I used to live in Alvena back in the mid-70's and would pass Smuts whenever we drove to Saskatoon; this is before the highway that goes right past Alvena was built. As a teenager I can remember going to a dance there, but even then it was little more than a ghost town."
     Media Coverage

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     Photo Galleries
    Click to view gallery
    Winter 2006 I think? Maybe 2007?
    Mon, Feb 20th, 2006
    posted by Stong
    16 pictures
    Click to view gallery
    Summer 2016
    Fri, Nov 11th, 2016
    posted by niteratzclub
    8 pictures
    Click to view gallery
    Smuts, SK - August 2018
    Tue, Aug 21st, 2018
    posted by EPOCH6
    20 pictures
     


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     Moderator Rating
    The moderator rating is a neutral rating of the content quality, photography, and coolness of this location.

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     Validation
    This location's validation is current. It was last validated by Emperor Wang on 1/16/2019 3:08 AM.

     Latest Changes
  • on Jan 16 19 at 3:08, Emperor Wang validated this location
  • on Jan 15 19 at 22:18, EPOCH6 changed the following: Description
  • on Jan 15 19 at 22:15, EPOCH6 changed the following: History, Description
  • on Jan 15 19 at 22:06, EPOCH6 updated gallery Smuts, SK - August 2018
  • on Jan 15 19 at 22:06, EPOCH6 added some pictures to a gallery
  • on Jan 15 19 at 22:04, EPOCH6 added some pictures to a gallery
  • on Jan 15 19 at 22:01, EPOCH6 updated gallery Smuts, SK - August 2018
  • on Jan 15 19 at 22:01, EPOCH6 updated gallery Smuts, SK - August 2018
  • on Jan 15 19 at 22:01, EPOCH6 created a new gallery
  • on Nov 12 16 at 15:25, Explorer Zero validated this location
  •  Forum Threads about this Location
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     SubjectStarted ByRepliesViewsLast Post
    You must log in for this feature to work.updated photosmaster private13659/20/2016 4:50 PM by SaskExplorer
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