Abandoned Sask. photography project breathes new life into 'ghost towns'

There are parts of Saskatchewan so long forgotten they have dropped off the map.But a Saskatoon photographer with a penchant for history is giving them new life through a picture and video project called Abandoned Saskatchewan.

Mitchell Cook's interest in abandoned places started when he was a child, watching derelict buildings flyby the car window on trips to the family farm.

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One of the places that piqued his interest was Leipzig, Sask., a "ghost town" where his mother grew up about 150 kilometres west of Saskatoon.

Over the past couple of years, Cook has started documenting the abandoned towns and old buildings he explores in photographs and videos online.

"I just started realizing that there are so many abandoned places on the prairies, especially in southern Saskatchewan, and I just realized that there are literally like ghost towns scattered all across," he said.

"Some of them aren't even on maps anymore and yeah, like, a lot of people don't realize how much stuff is out there."

Cook now explores and documents old churches, homes, and even ski hills through his project, Abandoned Saskatchewan.

He shares the images and videos on social media sites, including YouTube and Twitter.