Forgotten Gardens, Abandoned Landscapes and Remarkable Restorations 

   In the early 1900s, train station gardens were part of the welcoming gateway to the travelling public, an introduction to the urbanity of the area and the productiveness of the soil. Today, all that remains of what were once colourful station gardens are a few evergreens, a dishevelled hedge of caraganas and lilacs—and a mystery as to why they exist in these peculiar spots. This book may rekindle somememories of station gardens, introduce yet another chapter to the lives of the West’sfirst settlers and answer some questions regarding those remaining, seemingly oddly-placed trees and hedges near the main streets of many communities.Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing is pleased to introduce Forgotten Gardens, Abandoned Landscapes & Remarkable Restorations, a 248-page book written by Shirley Harris of Wolseley, Saskatchewan andillustrated in full colour with many historical photographs and paintings, tracing the mystery of thislittle-known aspect of prairie history and its continued effect on western communities today. 

                                  Forgotten Gardens

Book Review by Kay Parley

When I was reading Shirley Harris’ book, Forgotten Gardens, Abandoned Landscapes & Remarkable Restorations, two thoughts occurred simultaneously: our shocking capacity to forget and how lucky it was that the author caught on to what we had forgotten. It’s as if a door was sealed decades ago and nobody had bothered to open it and find out what was in the room. Curiosity prompted Shirley to pry open the door. She brushed aside the cobwebs, found the switch, and lit up a chandelier. The lost had been found just in time. Collective memory was forgetting that the CPR used to welcome travelers with a touch of beauty by planting gardens at the railway stations.

CPR gardens are the central subject matter, but the book has an underlying theme - the transplanting of western European culture to the territory which became Saskatchewan. As the author states, many of those settlers could only be tempted to come to the prairies if they could be assured there would be a “cultivated atmosphere”. That word “cultivated” was well chosen, because in those days subsistence economy, a garden was as important as a house. Mankind’s long tradition of gardening was dear to the hearts of  Victorians, and to the hearts of the early 20th century. Shirley Harris put it well: “They believed in the possibility of an agrarian Eden in a new nation.”

When these people came west, their chief preoccupation was whether the soil would support crops. A master gardener, the author organized the book as a gardener would: first survey the land, experience the view, check the water supply and above all, test the soil. Consider possibilities for housing and security. With those steps in mind, the author included a well - illustrated review of the process in the story of early explorations.

People of Wolseley, Indian Head and Kennedy will find the book of particular interest. The role of the Experimental and Forestry Farms at

Indian Head were important to the flourishing of gardens and shelter belts. Wolseley was the home to the great CPR Nursery, an entire section of trees and shrubs that were transplanted to the station gardens. It lasted from 1908 to 1926  and a few remnants can still be seen, but not many people remembered. Moffat homes and gardens come in for mention too.

Kennedy was the author’s hometown and the cover picture is “The Peanut Express” at the Kennedy Station. A delightful painting by Dr. William Hobbs.

The book contains dozens of paintings on glossy paper. It is not merely beautiful, it is valuable. The writing style is crisp and concise. Facts have been carefully researched and there is meticulous documentation.

It saddened me to see a photo of the CPR garden spread out in front of the Regina depot and realize such precious downtown space is only useful nowadays for cars. Then I remembered that many of our communities provide large areas for beautiful well-kept parks. The process began by early pioneers hasn’t died; it has just changed character. 

Forgotten Gardens, Abandoned Landscapes & Remarkable Restorations is a vital link with one of the most important aspects of Saskatchewan’s past. We often talk about getting back to our roots. Shirley has done just that - literally.

Keep this book on your coffee table where people can see it. It belongs in the jewel box of our provincial

  Master Painter of Railways