CANDLE LAKE
ASCHIM HOMESTEAD HERITAGE FOREST Gail Haight Candle Lake Communities in Bloom
Candle Lake - Aschim Homestead Heritage Forest, winner of the Saskatchewan Communities in Bloom Heritage Recognition Award by SPRA!
In 1932, Ansgar and Christina Aschim bought 130 hectares of land and built a two story Norwegian style cabin from fire killed spruce harvested on the east side of Torch Lake. A barn, pig house, garage, smokehouse and warm-up shack were also built on the property. Other reminders of farming days long past, are the horse drawn seeder, hay wagon and sets of wagon wheels - which are still on the property. In 1942, the Aschims left the property, returning in the summer to log and make forest improvements. In 1965, the Provincial Government acquired the property, and in 1977 responsibility was transferred to the Saskatchewan Forestry Association. The property was then named the Homestead Heritage Forest.
Aschim Homestead Heritage Forest has been a priority of Candle Lake Communities in Bloom for many years. In 2007, the group of CiB volunteers became a newly formed committee of Candle Lake Resort Village (CLRV) Council and registered provincially with Communities in Bloom. Recognizing heritage in the area became an important consideration for Candle Lake Communities in Bloom and the committee became responsible for the Homestead Heritage Forest and its 32 acres. They immediately recognized its potential as a tourist and hiker destination for the area. The CiB volunteers became responsible for improvements and maintenance of the area including the home, yard and trails. A combination of substantial fundraising by CiB volunteers and budget received from the municipality allows the homestead forest to be an amazing attraction for the area!
Presently, there are five different trails featuring interpretive and directional signage, boardwalks, stands of beautiful white spruce trees, aspen trees, marshes with black spruce , wildflowers, berry bushes and beautiful grasses. Moose, elk, deer, red squirrels and songbirds are special attractions of the area. Historical pictures and documents are located in the yard and the house. The trails and yard are well maintained and boardwalks receive continual repair. This work is supervised and done by volunteers. There is one maintenance worker who does the trail trimming and yard care. Continual trail development is underway, as reclaiming a former trail to Torch Lake is in the works for the spring of 2021. As mentioned, the responsibility for this wonderful Heritage Homestead is assumed by The Candle Lake Communities in Bloom Committee. The Committee is dedicated to preserving history and making the property an amazing space for tourists and area residents alike. ■
An Intriguing History and Unique Tourist Experience A wagon trail dating back to 1815 runs through the property and was used during the Riel Rebellion to haul fish from Torch Lake. In 1919, this same trail was used for logging. You can still see the ruts worn over time by the wagon wheels. 10
