Wind Power on the Boyle Homestead

In her episode of “Voice of the Pioneers,” Grandma Mossie (Kitson) Boyle says “I never thought I would ever see electricity brought into our home on the farm, but it did come to pass.  The lights were turned on September 19, 1951.  Charlie and I turned on every light in the house then went outside to see what it looked like—wonderful!!” 

Prior to that, The Boyle Homestead had depended on wind power to supply light and to pump water.

In the house, lights were provided by a wind charger on a tower and a glass battery system in the basement.

The wind tower is to the right of the house in this c1950 photo. (this photo also highlights the use of wind/solar to dry clothes!) When TV arrived in 1956 the tower was moved several feet to mount the TV antenna. The tower was also used as a “tree” house by generations of kids!
When Keith and Lorraine build their house in 1948 it was also lighted by the wind.”
I do have a first-hand memory of seeing old glass containers in the basement of one or both houses. These pictures, from an internet search, seem to match my memory.
Wind power was a critical component of the farming operation as this windmill was used to pump water for all of the livestock: cows, pigs, chickens. This c1980s photo shows the windmill being lowered and dismantled by relatives and moved to Alberta. It may continue to pump water to this day.
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