Why this Albertan decided to stay put in this prairie ghost town

Orion, a once bustling community, with a train that brought hope and promise, is turning into a ghost town like so many other communities throughout the Prairies. One longtime resident explains to CBC Calgary why he chose to stay as part of a series looking into the hidden lives of Alberta's ghost towns: www.cbc.ca/1.5704100
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[@billyfranklin85]

Boyd Stevens, my old friend, passed away this spring. I hunted that area every year since the mid nineties and Boyd was a fixture and legend there. He was everything he came across as in this video. Kind, gentle, soft spoken and humble. A true gentleman and a delight to be around. Rest easy my friend, you were a good man.....

[@jjfreight-trains]

thank you for the message, this video popped up and for the 2 minutes it ran we connected with this dear old man. A character, died where he wanted to be. His calender girls was funny to see up on the wall, good on him.

[@waynetaylor8082]

​@@jjfreight-trainsI had similar thoughts. Would like to share the following. A great friend of mine owned an automotive repair shop. He had comparable "wall art" in his office. One day his priest gazed upon said art, all the Father could say was, " My, doesn't GOD create some masterpieces." We ALL burst into laughter!!! Super guys, BOTH now reunited in spirit. May they Rest in Peace.

[@miriamvivo4279]

Que vaya con Dios. RIP. Guess we all keep going wit

[@davidwoods607]

Didn't know him but I'm sure he was happier than most. What a great life.

[@deborahmorgan6848]

Thank you for your comment Billy. So interesting and what a lovely man Boyd was, you must miss your dear friend enormously.

[@dblaze4745]

Life is where your heart is good man...

[@NellieKAdaba]

True, and home is where the heart is.

[@Mapoflife]

Bless this sweet man. People should take a road trip and stop by his store to buy things to help him out with a little revenue ❤️

[@ravenesqueone3033]

Tymefor Tea - I’m sure if they’re in the area...

[@salah914]

I drove from Calgary to Orion 3 times in 2 months . Store closed and did not see any body there all I saw was cats all over the town . I will try again hopefully this week .

[@Elleleighbrooks]

Is he still there? I'm in Calgary and want to go tomorrow!

[@jobuchner2563]

@@salah914 He passed away in the spring

[@leeoliver424]

@@jobuchner2563I just watched this….he seemed like a real nice guy, wise and easy going…I love people like him….sad to hear he passed…🥲

[@DCFunBud]

Such a good man! The heart and soul of Canada!

[@cazpk6840]

#RIP and i am happy this video will keep his memory alive forever. ❤

[@deanstrachan448]

Great human being..glad he got his recognition..

[@johnnybarfield4402]

He did it the way he wanted to, and as long as he was happy nothing else does. RIP

[@dmrbilltvhouse517]

This sweet man no longer resides in Orion. The store and gas station are now closed...remember show respect and do not trespass. All buildings may be abandoned but are still owned by landowners in area. .

[@lindamorgan2678]

Thanks for letting us know

[@OffGridInvestor]

He's died now apparently

[@naomic123]

Aw.. wish there were at least another 20 or 30 residents there. He must get so lonely 😔

[@NellieKAdaba]

I agree.

[@_DB.COOPER]

He’s dead!

[@billbright1755]

He was the mayor of Orion. It once was the town that never slept always something going on but over time it slowed down and people started drifting away.

[@gazof-the-north1980]

Its clearly where his heart and sense of belonging is. ❤

[@MrConan89]

What lovely bit of history. I looked the place up on Wikipedia and in 1991 it had a recorded population of 11.

[@frankgutjahr8188]

I cried when I saw the video of his storefront burning down on Christmas Day a few years back. I know boyd didn't want to go to a home but I guess that's where he's at now. I enjoyed talking with him once a year when I would visit. He had some great stories to tell. Miss you Boyd, hope you are well.

[@Adamz678]

Well a comment up top said he passed away.

[@OffGridInvestor]

He passed away in spring apparently

[@douglasking9383]

The quiet of the town has to be something else. No cars, no sirens, and above all, no people, just birds and the wind.

[@tijrus]

Rest easy, and thank you for being the voice of Orion and a wonderful person.

[@sandysue202]

And I just found out Mr Boyd has passed away. I bet he was an awesome man to listen to stories of his life from. Rest in Peace, Boyd! 💛

[@johnm.5848]

If I ever visited his town, I would have gladly sat down and have coffee with him and listen to him tell me about what life was like in the town. He would be the quintessential human history book. My condolences to those here who knew him on his passing this past spring.

[@sharonroberts3397]

HE DID WHAT MADE HIM HAPPY 😊❤

[@Eliezer-ec1bx]

Just think.... Boyd could have lived in a small box apt in the city, paid 2,000+ a month rent and wasted all his time and money driving to and from work looking for a parking spot and listening to sirens blare all night. Now this is living! R.I.P.

[@OffGridInvestor]

I work in Australia's biggest city but it's stunning how rural it can get so quickly. I'm an hours drive away and the country is relaxing but Orion reminds me more of where I grew up, properly rural.

[@robertneven7563]

respect for this sir

[@fernbedek6302]

I went to his store one time.

[@larryyoung1621]

Awesome story awesome photos

[@davidwoods2202]

Legend glad I got to know him

[@BlueCollarD.I.Y]

This video is literally amazing....not a cbc fan but wow you guys got gold here

[@markbajek2541]

Nice that he had kitty to keep him company.

[@jeffmuis8740]

He reminds of the dad from corner gas lol good for him, I’m from Ontario I might join him

[@speedspeed121]

Oscar

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

@billyfranklin85 3 weeks ago Boyd Stevens, my old friend, passed away this spring. I hunted that area every year since the mid nineties and Boyd was a fixture and legend there. He was everything he came across as in this video. Kind, gentle, soft spoken and humble. A true gentleman and a delight to be around. Rest easy my friend, you were a good man.....

[@OMEGAMUNOZ88888]

I Love You!!! Mr. Boyd you are a trail blazer, Your a Legend. Thank you for your beautiful explanation. I don't know what to say or how to let you know that you make me Oh so proud for your explanation, Are you Canadian? You must be Canadian with such class, strength and perseverance.

[@connie7226]

God bless him

[@user-hd1qx2bd1r]

I might just take over for Boyd in that place, looks cozy to me!

[@tm8747]

bless the tthis man R.I.P. thank you boyd stevens for your time

[@turkey4957]

Absolute legend

[@sandysue202]

I totally understand you wanting to stay there. It's your home and you are happy there, so why move? Take care of yourself and enjoy life, you and your pretty little kitty cat!! Best wishes to you!!!❤

[@mariap.5368]

Pretty awesome

[@malcolm2587]

For The times they are changing I can sympathize

[@msmarycat5681]

Awww R.I.P.

[@bsacki]

Sweet man

[@grandmashadowdreamer]

I would have done the same I'd love to live there

[@God7ODTaxationIsTheft]

From the micronation of 7OD I know the feel of ghost towns all too well.

[@sylvaindoyon590]

Hang in there old buddy, stand your ground like a true warrior. Live how you want to live, true to yourself and free. 😊

[@josipcro]

How can you buy some of thes property?

[@QuixoticIgnotism]

I would honestly prefer this old man as Prime Minister rather than our current debacle.

[@tallcedars2310]

We could have it but we keep giving things up to progress...

[@NickManCuso59]

I guess in his own time, and not by choice Boyd moved on after all. May he rest in peace.

[@blackbird5634]

''Follow the Rat Pack?" Sinatra was out there? Sammy Davis Jr too?🤣

[@christuttle3980]

How many people live there now?

[@mikearmstrong7503]

Where is this place at Please tell me

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

@dmrbilltvhouse517 2 years ago This sweet man no longer resides in Orion. The store and gas station are now closed...remember show respect and do not trespass. All buildings may be abandoned but are still owned by landowners in area. . @billyfranklin85 3 weeks ago Boyd Stevens, my old friend, passed away this spring. I hunted that area every year since the mid nineties and Boyd was a fixture and legend there. He was everything he came across as in this video. Kind, gentle, soft spoken and humble. A true gentleman and a delight to be around. Rest easy my friend, you were a good man.....

[@litafox5107]

My kinda place ....how do I get there

[@nomad90125]

God bless you pops. You made the right choice in life but unfortunately the multitudes made the wrong one.

[@Alexanderockport]

This place seems quite nice. RIP.

[@zahirig]

Covid 19 will not be bothering this tough old goat.

[@greggreg2263]

Beautiful to not have the hustle and bustle of the big city❤

[@slimhope1]

A clean quite place to finish ones days if lonely. But I remember visiting my gran in a care home, horrible place. This man has made the right choice for himself.

[@freedomforever6718]

I hope he's still living his dream.

[@CanadianPodcast]

♥️🙏

[@user-fm7so6du8z]

Awesome he seemed happy that's all that matters

[@bolt4680]

Hey how you doing?

[@bolt4680]

The Ice not well

[@jhariette]

He lived his life the way he wanted...

[@jeanettediss6640]

Hope he has someone to look out for him. Hes happy so leave him alone. 😊😢

[@gonelucid]

Feel for this dude. But than again he aint got the problems that come with having folks around.

[@oneflyguy1949]

where else ya gonna go?

[@Kanezilla66]

Some people live their whole life not knowing where they want to be.

[@RavenLove-gv9fs]

Live life on your terms and your terms only.

[@fionawai3347]

Stay put uncle

[@tomhamilton7726]

It is heartening, in a sense, to know that Trudeau’s carbon tax is accelerating the demise of these towns. Really heartening.

[@animateddepression]

Well, it’s a 15 minute town. You could lap the entire thing in 15 min.

[@bradenconway9066]

I give all my respect to this man, cities are garbage and I do believe i will be like this man when im his age.

[@bennorwood8433]

I agree people should stop by the store

[@erickriebel4366]

GREAT STORY. I WOULD RATHER BE IN A GHOST TOWN THAN CHICAGO NEW YORK LOS ANGELES NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

[@user-yg1dg6xm2g]

Because this is how some older people behave, whether it makes sense or not?

[@bandguy360]

Now thats a canuck

[@gibsalisbury]

Give me the simple life.

[@MissEAG]

What a cutie!

[@mrsjacksonstewart9266]

My favorite place to be is alone

[@sarahmarzoff5651]

The cat will look after his gas station and farm,whenever he retires😢😢😢😢

[@not.likely]

A wonderful countryside where you can lead a healthy, happy life. To swop this for NY. Never

[@bobhebblewhite1685]

you stay where you want to be, simple.

[@fredtracy3931]

I would move there, no pride crap in Orion.

[@kjo68]

move to Kelowna, BC ? or stay away from Where Putin home is

[@bennorwood8433]

I also think that people should move here to repopulate the town

[@user-gf3lw5pi4t]

You first❤

[@speedspeed121]

Oscar

[@OffGridInvestor]

Being off grid with limited resources, I have come to realise you ACTUALLY COULD make a living for yourself JUST IF you can get a reasonable internet connection. I have discovered some great unexpected money making stuff in the last year. Several things, one being the cacti business. You'd be surprised how much their value can increase over time with little water. They are quite hardy in certain ways too, but vulnerable in other areas particularly when young.

[@walleyperch]

Probably because there’s no people there…

[@richwood2741]

So sad he still thinks there is something there for him. He does not need to move to a big city but at least move closer to the services you know he uses.

[@jakedeutscher]

Medicine Hat is only 45 minute drive from Orion. A pretty large town.

[@Mapoflife]

CBC, please realize that calling a town a "ghost town" is quite disrespectful to the residents that still reside there current day.

[@TheTimbo911]

Who cares.... it's a story....your life will be ok.

[@Mapoflife]

channel break There are people living there, not many but they count dont they?

[@TheTimbo911]

@@Mapoflife my feather's are fine thin skinned lady. Have a nice night. Lol

[@ravenesqueone3033]

A ghost town is called a ghost town because the economics that used to drive it are no longer there.

[@triggeredcat120]

I’m sorry but Google Maps has road views and Orion looks like a dilapidated ghost town.

[@soulfulgeocatcher]

Canada is so beautiful i dont understand the obsession of towing everyone into high population centers.

[@Avgslaveworker]

Senile old man going to trip and fall and no one’s gonna be there to find him for months. Skeletons are cool I guess.

[@Avgslaveworker]

@oldnorth johnson lol

[@lindamorgan2678]

Senile? I would have a conversation with him and love it.. you ? forget it young goof that knows nothing obviously .Would be ONE BORING conversation

[@marianfrances4959]

He's more a human than you'll ever be

[@Avgslaveworker]

@@marianfrances4959 se·nile /ˈsēˌnīl,ˈseˌnīl/ adjective (of a person) having or showing the weaknesses or diseases of old age, especially a loss of mental faculties. "she couldn't cope with her senile husband" All I was saying is that the man is putting his life at jeopardy by being alone there. You comment nazis misinterpreting it as aggression is pretty funny.

[@trentonarganbright1871]

Bet you still bop the baloney in your mother's basement

[@jaybee9110]

RIP Boyd

[@jacksoda349]

This is the smartest man in the world having the town to yourself wow ! away from humans great!

[@aaronburns9365]

Boomer. This guy is talking about a ~20 year period after he was able to retire where he could go hang out at places he used to work.