My grandparents had an old 8mm movie camera and we've had these old reels of movies nobody has been able to watch for decades. We recently had them converted to digital and it's been enjoyable trying to figure out who, when, and what we're watching.

My Uncle used to run trips in Wabakimi in the late 70's early 80's and he must have had the camera then because there is footage of aluminum canoes in what I assume is Wabakimi. I was watching this morning and one scene struck me as there was a unique cabin. I remembered I'd heard of a Hermit of Wabakimi, Wendell Beckwith. Anyway, I finally put the two together and did some research online and the face and the cabin leave little doubt that I'm correct. I posted this in the Wabakimi forum but thought perhaps others might enjoy the short video.

The Hermit of Wabakimi

Amazing little film! Thanks for sharing.

Sweet looking cabin! Thanks for sharing.

I found this video of what the place looks like today.

At 17 seconds you can see the front of the cabin that (the person who I assume is Wendell) is standing in front of.

And I've found this video of the place in 2010 and you can see the object (wood clamp perhaps?)that is in the front left of the camera's view of the cabin in my video.

I found the original reel from the canoe trip scene and it says July of 1980. Wendell passed away August of 1980 on the beach in front of his cabins. So this is likely video of Wendell himself, and taken only a month or so before his passing.


I did not know much about him before this morning, but he was a fascinating individual. Wendell Beckwith

Definitely an interesting story....especially this part.

But years before, he had simply driven a truck, laden with tools and supplies, across the border at night when no officials were around and he was technically living illegally in Canada.

Officials pressed him to apply for immigration. But Mr. Beckwith refused, telling them that he was a "citizen of the world." Eventually, they signed a waiver.

Neat clip!

Very cool thanks for the history report. I just love those story's. Makes me wish it was me.

quote FISHMAN3: "Very cool thanks for the history report. I just love those story's. Makes me wish it was me."

Grab a map of Canada, close your eyes and drop a pin!

This was fun. I had not heard this story before.

Thanks for sharing! That 8mm clip is priceless.

quote Exo: "Thanks for sharing! That 8mm clip is priceless."

It's too bad it isn't longer, but I'll bet it is pretty rare. I don't think there were video cameras before 1980, and how many people would lug an 8mm movie camera through Wabakimi on a canoe trip at that time?

quote onepaddleshort: "

quote Exo: "Thanks for sharing! That 8mm clip is priceless."

It's too bad it isn't longer, but I'll bet it is pretty rare. I don't think there were video cameras before 1980, and how many people would lug an 8mm movie camera through Wabakimi on a canoe trip at that time?"

An interesting place. I stopped there in 2008 during a cross park trip in Wabakimi. Beckwith lugged some curious items into the place. One being a huge anvil that must weight several hundred pounds. After their experience with him, the government no longer allowed people to move into Canada as he did. I am told now you will be forcibly evicted. No more eccentric Americans. Interestingly, he was from Wisconsin and apparently abandoned his family to move to Best Island in Whitewater Lake. It was there he calculated he would find the cosmic energy center of the universe.

Thanks for sharing! Very interesting considering he died in Aug 1980. We visited Wendells place in 2013 on our route through the park. Very interesting place - a time capsule for sure. These are photos of the 3 cabins on the site. The last photo is the trail back to the large slab of rock that indicates where he lives. Nothing was visible from the water.

Yeah he abandoned his wife and five kids...what a jerk.

quote paddlefamily: "Thanks for sharing! Very interesting considering he died in Aug 1980. We visited Wendells place in 2013 on our route through the park. Very interesting place - a time capsule for sure. These are photos of the 3 cabins on the site. The last photo is the trail back to the large slab of rock that indicates where he lives. Nothing was visible from the water. < "

Thanks for sharing the photos, I've found the story very interesting. It's now on my hope to someday visit list.