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Holmes Castle Closeup
1986
Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada

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It was a large square structure with turrets at each corner raised above the centre roof level, and battlements all around the perimeter of the roof. It contained a large central kitchen, dining room, a parlor with a huge fireplace, and 4 bedrooms. The large wooden doors, between the kitchen or common room area and the parlor and dining room, could be opened by pulling them back into the narrow double wall recess on each side. These huge doors were built by young Deke Kroeker to Tom's specifications.

The grounds which had first been planted by H.M. Klassen in the early years, were a small forest of trees, plants and shrubs which Tom, with all the skill and energy of an English gardener, kept in immaculate and beautiful order. It was an "oasis in the desert" for the town, with statuary, a fountain, wishing well and blessed greenery, and the grounds were always open to anyone who cared to wander through.