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Doukhobor Dugout House
The Doukhobor Dugout House, constructed in 1899 by Russian Doukhobor immigrants, is a rare and significant example of the temporary shelters built by settlers of various ethnic backgrounds upon their arrival on the Canadian Prairies. Located near Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan, on the Cheveldayoff family homestead along a bend of the North Saskatchewan River, this dugout house is the only known surviving structure of its kind in Canada. It serves as a poignant reminder of the hardships faced by early settlers in a largely treeless landscape and the practical solutions they adopted for survival.
For the first five years, around 300 Doukhobors lived in these dugouts, with one shelter housing nine families in an area of about 436 square feet. During the winter, five babies were born, one of whom is buried at the top of the hill to the north. With no money and limited resources, these vegetarian pacifists were determined to survive; while the men worked on the railroads during the summer, the women hitched themselves to plows to prepare land for gardens.
The site is part of a broader landscape of farm buildings and archaeological remains that tell the story of Doukhobor communities' evolution on the Prairies. After the families moved to the nearby village of Oospenie, the dugout was repurposed for various uses, including as a root cellar. Artifacts found within the house, such as an oven door, a button, pottery, and an old shoe, serve as tangible memories of life during those early years from 1899 to 1904.
In the summer of 2004, the University of Saskatchewan’s Department of Archaeology, led by graduate student Meagan Brooks, conducted an archaeological investigation of the site. With extensive community involvement, the project established a baseline for archaeological units, cleared underbrush, removed surface artifacts, and trained volunteers in excavation techniques. The outcome of this investigation was Meagan Brooks’ Master’s thesis, 'Public Archaeology With a Doukhobor Descendant Community', which successfully preserved a vital part of Doukhobor history.
The significance of the Doukhobor Dugout House has been recognized at both the provincial and national levels. In the spring of 2005, the site was designated as a Provincial Heritage Property. Later, in late August 2008, it was officially recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC). A commemorative plaque highlighting the importance of the dugout house was unveiled during a ceremony in July 2013.
Visitors to the Doukhobor Dugout House can explore this historic site and learn more about Doukhobor culture and the broader history of early settlers in Canada.
Type of Data Point - Website/Blog Post
Doukhobor Dugout House - Official Website
Visit page of the element - Doukhobor Dugout House
Inserted: 23-08-2024 19:08:39
Questions related to this Data Point
How many people lived in the Doukhobor Dugout House during its early years of use?
What challenges did the settlers face when living in the Doukhobor Dugout House?
What is the historical significance of the Doukhobor Dugout House near Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan?
What role does the Doukhobor Dugout House play in preserving Doukhobor culture and history?
When was the Doukhobor Dugout House designated as a National Historic Site of Canada?
Which university conducted an archaeological investigation of the Doukhobor Dugout House in 2004?
Contexts related to this Data Point
Historic Places in Saskatchewan
Historical buildings
Map of Saskatchewan
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