County of Brant Heritage

WHAT IS A GRISTMILL?
A gristmill or grist mill is a building in which grain is ground into
flour, or the grinding mechanism itself. In many countries they are
referred to as corn mills or flour mills. Although the terms
“gristmill” or “corn mill” can refer to any mill that grinds grain,
the terms were used historically for a local mill where farmers
brought their own grain and received back ground meal or flour,
minus a percentage call the “miller’s toll” in lieu of wages. Most
towns and villages had their own mill so that local farmers could
easily transport their grain to be milled. These communities were
dependent on their local mills as bread was a staple part of the diet.
Classical mill designs were usually water powered, though some
were powered by the wind or by livestock. In a watermill, a sluice
gate is opened to allow water to flow onto, or under, a water wheel
to make it turn. In most watermills the water wheel was mounted
vertically, i.e., edge-on, in the water, but in some cases
horizontally. The millstones themselves turn at around 120 rpm.
They are laid on top of the other. The bottom stone, called the bed,
is fixed to the floor, while the top stone, the runner, is mounted on
a separate spindle, driven by the main shaft. A wheel called the
stone nut connects the runner’s spindle to the main shaft, and this
can be moved out of the way to disconnect the stone and stop it
turning, leaving the main shaft turning to drive other machinery.
This might include driving a mechanical sieve to refine the flour,
or turning the wooden drum to wind up a chain used to hoist sacks
or grain to the top of the mill house. The distance between the
stones can be varied to produce the grade of flour required; moving
the stones closer together produced finer flour.
(Wikipedia)
THE ALABASTINE COMPANY The Alabastine Company of Paris Limited was founded by
Melvin B. Church of Grand Rapids Michigan, a decorator and
gifted inventor, who discovered that by grinding together plaster
of Paris and glue, he could produce a wall paint that was
described as “sweet, fresh, pure and healthful. He named his
product “Alabastine”. In 1885, Church bought the gypsum mill
and mines of Gill and Co., Paris. Church sold his interest in the
company around 1900. Over the years The Alabastine Company
continued to grow and expand. It changed its name to the
Gypsum Lime and Alabastine Company and continued to have
its plant and main office in Paris until 1959 when the company
was sold to Domtar. The company was eventually moved to
Haldimand County where the business continues to exist today,
now under the ownership of Georgia Pacific.
(At the Forks of the Grand by D.A. Smith and Herons and
Cobblestones – Members of the Grand River Heritage Mines
Society)
To obtain permission to use photos, please contact the named source.
APPS’ MILL
Apps’ Grist and Flour Mill, located on Robinson Road, just outside of
Paris, was built in 1841 and purchased in 1858 by Charles and William
Apps. The Mill was run by an undershot water wheel that was replaced
by turbines in the 1920’s. The mill was very successful and was
eventually taken over by Williams’ sons Alfred and Albert. The family
ran the mill for almost 100 years until Whiteman’s Creek flooded during
Hurricane Hazel in 1954, undermining the dam that diverted the water
into the mill. After trying to keep the mill running with insufficient
water flow for two years, the brothers finally closed the mill in 1956.
Today Apps’ Mill is owned by the GRCA and is a conservation area and
teaching center. (Picture courtesy of the GRCA)
To obtain permission to use photos, please contact the named source.
THE GERMAN’S LAKE MILL
In 1820, Lewis German and his family settled on Lot 12,
Concession 1, which is now located just south of German School
Road on the west side of Highway 24. Because the lands form a
valley here, the area became known as German’s Hollow.
Around 1845, George German, son of Lewis, set up carding
machines in his stable to card wool into rolls, which were spun
into yarn, knitted into socks or woven into cloth. This business
soon became the chief industry in the neighbourhood. In 1860,
George German built an up-to-date mill complete with new
machinery, which was operated by waterpower. A large dam
had been built across the creek top which formed a pond of
about 15 acres. The pond is still visible from the highway today.
(1852-2002 A Celebration by Ruth Lefler and Angela Files,
Artwork courtesy of Flossie Buchanan)
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GERMAN’S WOOLLEN MILL – 1867 Located on the banks of the Grand River outside of Glen Morris, this
stone mill was built by the German family in 1867. The wool was
brought in to the mill where it was often woven into woolen blankets.
The mill changed hands and was eventually closed in 1898 because of
competition from larger mills nearby. The mill was turned into a lodge
which was not successful and was sold again and used as a summer
residence until 1944 when Canadian Pacific expropriated land from the
owner and built a railway line through the property. The Township of
South Dumfries eventually purchased the property from the owner. It
was later sold by auction and is now privately owned. The mill lies in
ruin along the “Rail Trail” between Glen Morris and Cambridge.
(Brantford Expositor Archives – sources Glen Morris Women’s Institute)
(Photo by Mark S. Pomponi, County of Brant)
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HAIGHT MILL, MOUNT PLEASANT
In 1820 Elijah Haight established a grist mill at the present site of the
former provincial fish hatchery in Mount Pleasant. In 1911 the Ontario
government expropriated this site as the first provincial fish hatchery.
The park contained 20 acres, with six acres of spring-fed ponds stocked
with rainbow trout. When the Ontario government no longer needed this
area, it was acquired by the Brantford Township. Today this historical,
recreational area is still part of the village of Mount Pleasant and has
been historically designed by the Brant County Local Architectural
Conservancy Advisory Committee.
(1852-2002 A Celebration by Ruth Lefler and Angela Files, Photo
courtesy of Linda Guest)
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HARLEY GRIST MILL – 1870
The Harley Grist Mill was located near the corner of
Middle Townline Road and Concession Road 10 on the
same property as where the Harley Train Station once
stood. Photo courtesy of Jim Havens
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HATHAWAY MILL – WHITEMAN’S CREEK BURFORD Built prior to 1881, the original Hathaway Mill was one mile north of
Burford on the west side of the road. The mill burned down and a new
mill, somewhat larger also burned. It is thought that this is a photo of the
second mill. The Hathaway’s owned mills in Burford, Woodbury, and
Paris. The house on this property has been occupied by the Ruth Havens
family since 1944.
(Photo courtesy of Jim Havens)
To obtain permission to use photos, please contact the named source.
Onondaga in the Early Years
Howell Mill – 1839
One of the first known mills in the Onondaga area was built by
William Howell on his farm on Concession 3, Township of
Onondaga. With financial backing from Reverend Hamilton
Biggar, Howell built a saw mill, a dam and brought in machinery
to run his business. The saw mill was one of the first in the
district and had a capacity of producing 50,000 feet of lumber a
month. During that time the railway industry was in its infancy
and the mill cut the ties used in construction of the railway line
east of Brantford. Howell would never live to see the
completion of the railway, having died nine years earlier at the
young age of 33.
Local folklore attributed to the mill, is that during a cholera
epidemic, the mill made coffins for the victims of the outbreak.
The locals would come up the creek within shouting distance of
the mill and so not to infect anyone else, would shout how many
coffins they required that day. The mill workmen would build
the required number of coffins and float them down Fairchild’s
Creek.
The Howell saw mill remained in almost continuous operation
until the wooden dam broke in the spring of 1916 at which time
the mill was torn down. A grist mill was built in its place but it
too has disappeared. There are no known pictures of either mill.
M. MALCOLM & SON CUSTOM WOOLEN WORKS AND COOPERAGE The M. Malcolm & Son Custom Woolen Works was owned by
Marcus Malcolm along with his son George. The mill was
located just east of the Village of Scotland and was very
successful. The company manufactured raw material into cloth,
both wholesale and retail. Besides carding wool, the company
also manufactured barrel staves in the cooperage which can be
seen on the left hand side with the woolen works on the right.
Warner and Beer, History of Brant County 1883 as transcribed
by Bill Bowman
Photo from the private collection of Florence Brown
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ONONDAGA SAWMILL – CIRCA 1850 Pictured here around 1912, is an early Sawmill that was
located on the farm of Alfred Dixson near Mulligan Road
and Big Creek Road. It operated from the 1850’s and it is
thought that is was later moved to the farm of William
Cowie. (Picture courtesy of Eric Reeker)
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PENMAN’S NO. 1 MILL
This early 20th Century postcard depicts the Penman’s Limited
Clothing Company No. 1 Mill on West River Street in Paris.
The building still stands today but is being turned into affordable
housing units. (Courtesy of the Paris Museum and Historical
Society)
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PENMAN’S NO. 2 MILL, CIRCA 1935 Pictured are a number of workers in the sewing department of
the Penman’s No. 2 Mill located on Willow Street in Paris.
Penman’s produced hosiery, undergarments, sweaters, socks,
knitted fabric, Long johns etc. (Photo courtesy of the Penman’s
Employee Collection, Paris Museum and Historical Society)
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MOUNT VERNON MILLS
Thomas Perrin built the Mt. Vernon Mills pictured here,
sometime after the War of 1812. Perrin moved to Mt. Vernon or
originally called Checkered Sheds after operating a successful
grist mill located in Mt. Pleasant. During the War of 1812,
Perrins Mt Pleasant mill was burned to the ground by American
General Duncan McArthur during one of his raids of the area.
Perrin rebuilt the mill but eventually sold his interest and moved
to Mt. Vernon.
Artist rendering from Tremaine’s Map
E. PITTS & SON – SIDE VIEW
This is a later picture of the E. Pitts & Son Flour, Feed and Seeds
Mill (Previous known as Marvel Flour Mills) with their signage
in full view. Photo from the private collection of Earl Pitts
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PITT’S MILL – PARIS
Once known as the Marvel Flour Mill, The Pitt’s Flour and Seed Mill,
was located along the Nith River in downtown Paris, where the War
Memorial is located today. The Royal Hotel can be seen in the
background. The mill was powered by a one cylinder Natural Gas
motor. This picture was taken some time after 1912 after the partnership
with George Tate was dissolved and Edward and George Pitts ran the
business. (County of Brant Public Library – Photo from the private
collection of Earl Pitts)
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RIVER STREET – 1899 This view of River Street (Grand River Street) in Paris shows the
businesses as they looked one year before “The Great Fire” of
September 1900. The fire burned over half of Downtown Paris
on both sides of River St., including all the businesses shown
here. Here you see the “New Paris Roller Mill” owned by W.H.
Meldrum where the devastating fire began. Also seen here are
the Post Office, P.H. Hamilton Bicycle Shop, Alex Rose Pork
Shop, Chas. Banks Bicycle Repair store, Pat Buckley Hardware,
R.L. Murrays’ Tailor Shop and P.L. Scott’s Drug Store. (Artist’s
Rendering and write up courtesy of Wayne Wilkinson of Paris –
copies available at the Paris Museum and Historical Society)
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ROLLER MILLS - PARIS
In 1822 William Holmes began clearing the swamp to build a
plaster mill in downtown Paris. The mill was completed in 1823
which he called the Roller Mill. Holmes sold the plaster mill to
Hiram Capron in 1828. Capron built an addition to the original
building between 1829 and 1830 and opened a grist mill. The
Mills changed hands several times but remained in operation for
many years. Pictured here Circa 1890, the mills were located on
the west side of Grand River Street North where the County of
Brant office stands today. The Mills were destroyed in the great
fire in September of 1900 that wiped out a large portion of
downtown Paris. The source of the fire started in the Roller
Mills. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Wilkinson)
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E.A. SMITH FLOUR MILLS LTD. In 1823, Job Loder built saw and grist mills on the northwest side of
Malcolm’s (McKenzie) Creek on Lot 10, Concession 1 in East Oakland.
Later David Secord bought the mills and in 1855 built a new grist mill on
the south side of the creek.
A cider mill was installed in the basement of the mill. Several people
owned the mill until 1897 when Edwin Smith purchased the operation.
Over three generations many changes were made – animal feed was
mixed on a custom basis, the Smiths produced their own brand of feed
and in 1962 the name was changed to E.A. Smith Flour Mills Ltd. The
production of rye flour became one of the largest in Ontario.
In 1988, members of the Smith family closed the doors on the mill for
the last time, culminating 91 years of milling by the Smith family in
Oakland Township – another legacy.
(1852-2002 A Celebration by Ruth Lefler and Angela Files, Photo
courtesy of Edwin and Ferne Smith)
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BRANT FLOUR MILLS LTD - EAST OAKLAND In 1988 Smith’s Mills changed ownership and was renamed
“Brant Flour Mills Ltd.” The mill continues to be modernized.
The grain dryer and load out bin for by product have recently
been added. Daily mill capacity is approximately 40 tonnes with
9000 tonnes storage capacity for rye.
This mill is the largest rye flour mill in Eastern Canada.
(1852-2002 A Celebration by Ruth Lefler and Angela Files,
Photo courtesy of Uwe Storjohann)
To obtain permission to use photos, please contact the named source.
SNOWBALL MILL
This photo from approximately 1907, shows the Snowball Mill
located on Main Street in St. George. Construction was begun in
1869 by William Snowball for his new grist mill with milling
underway by 1871. It was powered by 2 – 10” waterwheels by
water brought in by 500 feet of 48” flume pipe. In 1872
Snowball leased the mill to Bruce Wood who finally purchased
the mill from Snowball for $9,000.00 in November of 1876.
Wood modernized the mill in 1885 adding steam power. The
flour mill changed hands several times and continued in
operation for many years. The pond was filled in during the
1950’s after a young boy tragically drowned. The mill is still a
familiar site in St. George with it being converted in 2008 to a
restaurant and veterinary clinic. (From the book – St. George by
Douglas A. Mannen – available through the South Dumfries
Historical Society)
To obtain permission to use photos, please contact the named source.
VIVIAN’S MILL
On November 7th, 1814, near the end of the War of 1812,
Malcolm’s Mills were burned to the ground by the Americans.
Later, these mills were rebuilt with the help of financial
compensation from the government. In 1835, John Vivian, who
had arrived in Oakland from England, rented Malcolm’s Mills.
In 1836 Vivian married Sarah Malcolm, John’s daughter and in
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1840 purchased the mills. The mill closed on December 1st,
1967 after 160 years of milling on the site. The Vivian family
operated the mill for more than 125 years. The mill was still
using water power when this photo was taken. The water can be
seen exiting the mill after going through the water flume and
over the waterwheel. (1852-2002 A Celebration by Ruth Lefler
and Angela Files, Photo courtesy of Jim Havens)
To obtain permission to use photos, please contact the named source.
WOODVALE MILL – CIRCA 1826
Originally called the St. George Lower Mill, it is believed to
have been built by Hon. William Dickson about 1826 and passed
through several owners until William Wood bought the mill in
1875. The mill was bought by William’s father and later by his
brother David. The mill was used until 1906 when the business
was amalgamated with Brant Flour Mills Limited which was
owned by William Wood and his brother David. A wooden
water flume can be seen in the foreground which brought water
to the mill for power. The mill was run by an overshot
waterwheel until in 1882 it was replaced by a twenty four foot
high by ten foot wide Little Giant waterwheel which was a much
more efficient power source. Pictured here about 1908 the mill
was torn down in 1909. (From the book – St. George by
Douglas A. Mannen – available through the South Dumfries
Historical Society)
To obtain permission to use photos, please contact the named source.