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. Thought perhaps others might enjoy the short video.


The Hermit of Wabakimi

Which one is he? The one playing with the dog?

I don't see a dog in the video?

But I've been able to find more information. Here is what remains of the cabin as of last summer. Link

Here is the wood vise (or whatever the object is) that appears to the left of the doorway in my video inside a cabin in 2010. Link

And, I'm looking at this photograph in making my conclusion that the man in the video is Wendell himself. It is possible my uncle's group was visiting the cabin after Wendell was already gone but it looks like him and the mannerisms of the gentleman in the video lead me to believe that this is his home.

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

I agree! I always wanted to be a hermit and hope to one day. I find this fascinating.

This is really embarrassing, but this morning I thought he was petting a dog. Now, with coffee and glasses on, he is picking up a coffee cup or something! ha ha ha oh well….

I saw he died of heart attack.

This is interesting-wish I knew how to do that!

It was so efficiently built that the wood to heat it -- Mr. Beckwith refused to cut live trees for firewood but scouted far and wide for rotten lumber and blow-downs -- took him only 10 minutes a day to cut.

We visited Wendells place during our canoe trip in late Aug 2013. Very interesting and quite a time capsule. link to our photos

Wow. That is some cool footage. Very likely the last images of him before his death.