bottlebugs
Well-Known Member
I am always stunned to learn more about my childhood home near Rivers Manitoba.
My twin and I dug into the remnants of a burial mound in the spring of 1968. Thus
began my lifelong obsession with buried treasure, and of course, eventually bottles.
1867. Canada is created in what was called the Confederation Act. I actually got to
see the Centennial Train in Rivers as a child in 1967. This railway was, as proposed,
inspired the 1867 Confederation of Canada. When I moved back to Ottawa, Manitoba
was celebrating it's centennial. I still have the silver dollar given to each of us at school.
1908. It was named after the world famous financial genius, Sir Charles Rivers Wilson,
who chose this desolate spot in the middle of nowhere, Manitoba to build the hub for
the Grand Trunk Railway. Just prior to his appointment as commissioner at the World's
Fair in Paris, Sir Charles paved the way for exploration of the pyramids in Egypt, which
just after his death led to the discovery of King Tut's tomb. Tesla, Edison, Verne and Eiffel
were among Sir Charles' World Fair selections. He also loved Biblical Archeology.
1939. It was chosen as a pre-radar U-boat detection site, tracking intelligent signals
carried on the energy of lighting strikes around the world. This site soon after became
a RCAF training facility. I lived there as a base brat from 1964 to its closing in late 1970.
1964. The famous silent era comedian, Buster Keaton began production of his last
film and documentary, starting in Rivers, Manitoba. The first chapter of a recently
released biography is entitled, "Rivers, Manitoba". Buster claimed he was named after
Houdini saw him repeatedly falling (his trademark act) during his parents' Vaudeville
shows. Buster and his parents apparently got to know Houdini quite well.
"Rather than promote the idea that he was assisted by spirits, as did the Davenport
Brothers and others, Houdini's advertisements showed him making his escapes via
dematerializing, although Houdini himself never claimed to have supernatural
powers."
This little town and Air Force base has been visited by kings and queens and celebrities beyond belief
over the years. I met our famous Prime Minister, P. E. Trudeau there, and will never forget his charisma.
This brief visit was perhaps the turning point in his election. My Mom, a staunch conservative, voted
for this playboy sporting the long hair and red rose boutonnière. His son is now our Prime Minister.
2024. CFB Rivers, Manitoba is nothing but a memory now, and as desolate as it's humble beginnings.
This is what is left of my childhood home.
My twin and I dug into the remnants of a burial mound in the spring of 1968. Thus
began my lifelong obsession with buried treasure, and of course, eventually bottles.
1867. Canada is created in what was called the Confederation Act. I actually got to
see the Centennial Train in Rivers as a child in 1967. This railway was, as proposed,
inspired the 1867 Confederation of Canada. When I moved back to Ottawa, Manitoba
was celebrating it's centennial. I still have the silver dollar given to each of us at school.
1908. It was named after the world famous financial genius, Sir Charles Rivers Wilson,
who chose this desolate spot in the middle of nowhere, Manitoba to build the hub for
the Grand Trunk Railway. Just prior to his appointment as commissioner at the World's
Fair in Paris, Sir Charles paved the way for exploration of the pyramids in Egypt, which
just after his death led to the discovery of King Tut's tomb. Tesla, Edison, Verne and Eiffel
were among Sir Charles' World Fair selections. He also loved Biblical Archeology.
1939. It was chosen as a pre-radar U-boat detection site, tracking intelligent signals
carried on the energy of lighting strikes around the world. This site soon after became
a RCAF training facility. I lived there as a base brat from 1964 to its closing in late 1970.
1964. The famous silent era comedian, Buster Keaton began production of his last
film and documentary, starting in Rivers, Manitoba. The first chapter of a recently
released biography is entitled, "Rivers, Manitoba". Buster claimed he was named after
Houdini saw him repeatedly falling (his trademark act) during his parents' Vaudeville
shows. Buster and his parents apparently got to know Houdini quite well.
"Rather than promote the idea that he was assisted by spirits, as did the Davenport
Brothers and others, Houdini's advertisements showed him making his escapes via
dematerializing, although Houdini himself never claimed to have supernatural
powers."
This little town and Air Force base has been visited by kings and queens and celebrities beyond belief
over the years. I met our famous Prime Minister, P. E. Trudeau there, and will never forget his charisma.
This brief visit was perhaps the turning point in his election. My Mom, a staunch conservative, voted
for this playboy sporting the long hair and red rose boutonnière. His son is now our Prime Minister.
2024. CFB Rivers, Manitoba is nothing but a memory now, and as desolate as it's humble beginnings.
This is what is left of my childhood home.
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