In 2019 I had the privilege of photographing this historical landmark. You could feel the history, and many, many stories ooze out of the timbers of this quaint but sturdy home.
Unfortunately, as I write this, the existence of the original Metis log home of Louis George Labatte is in jeopardy. To get the full story, please visit the Facebook Page, SAVE THE LABATTE HOMESTEAD, dedicated to its preservation. There you’ll find links with stories from current descendants of Louis George Labatte and the importance of this early Métis landmark, not only in the history of the region, but the history of Canada as well.
Here’s a link to an excellent article en Français, by Rudy Chabannes.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.
The historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834, Tiny Township, Ontario.