Blanche Williams, better known as "Grandma" lived in Sprucevale. Her husband passed away in 1947 and she lived alone with no running water or electric. Running water and electric was installed for her, but she had it taken out.
She made arrangements in 1947 to donate the land (3,000 acres) to the state with the stipulation that she could remain in her home til she passed away. They would have a ranger that would watch over her til her death but they never realized that she would live another 30 years. She passed away in 1977, one month short of her hundredth's birthday.
People started peeping in her windows and opening her doors, that was when the mill was still running. She asked if the Rangers could come in and put up a fence line in front of the house. It was lined with Dahlias. No sooner did they put up the fence, people started coming around the waterway, and coming to the back door. In 1972, her patience ran out. She went to her wood stove in the kitchen and took a piece of wood and wrote on it with red paint, "No peddlers, no meddlers, just get out." She hung it on her gate and she felt that everyone was warned. Children were always welcome, she was known for her molasses and oatmeal cookies which she handed out freely. If you were not previously invited to her home, she kept a shotgun by the door and would shoot into the trees. Her gun is locked away at the Trading Post.
A relative of hers, Cheryl Gallagher, opens the house so people can go in and see how she lived. She claims that Grandma is not there when she is there. She knows alot of the history of the area and told us a little about Grandma and what happens at the house. The front door is open at times, but noone is there, the rocking chair is moved or turned and pages of books are changed. She can see a form on the bed like someone has been sitting there. She tells her at least when she comes to visit, she can straighten out the bed. Cheryl said the first time she opened up the house, she couldn't get the door unlocked. She left to find the Park Superintendent and when they returned the door was open. She asked permission to come in the next time and has had no trouble since. She always leaves and says, "See you next weekend".
Click here to see the photos we got at Grandmas house. |
