Some of you may recognize this place. I wasn't able to get many pictures of this location as it was an unplanned visit and I didn't want to overstay my welcome, but now that I've had some time to find out a bit more about its history I may return with some questions. This house has caught my eye several times while exploring the Fraser Canyon but I hadn't stopped to look around until earlier this month. I had several more stops planned along my route so my intentions were to quickly get a few pictures, hit the road, research it after the fact, and return later.
I had a long drive to Jasper, AB ahead of me and decided before leaving that I'd divide the drive over two days, giving me plenty of time to explore along the way, stopping halfway to spend the first night at my uncle's place in Barriere. My uncle has been a trucker his entire life and has driven this stretch of highway more times than he could ever count, so I showed him the pictures and asked him if he knew anything about the place. His eyes lit up and he explains to me that decades ago a very rich man lived there and that the odd structures in the backyard were actually built to cage exotic animals. The guy built a private zoo in his backyard, complete with lions, tigers, and other exotic predators. Nothing ever came of it commercially and eventually the man died, the backyard is now empty and untouched and the house is occupied by others.
I'm hoping to return this summer to see if I can get any more history out of the current owners.
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