Caledonia Mill
Encyclopedia
The Caledonia Mill is a historic mill building located in Caledonia
, Ontario
, Canada
. Built in 1846, it is a heritage property under the Ontario Heritage Act
. It is the last water powered mill along the Grand River
of Ontario.
, in Caledonia, Ontario
Canada.
Caledonia founder Ranald McKinnon’s milling enterprises on the Northside by 1850 comprised a sawmill
, flour mill, and woollen mill. This Northside area of mill was known to be within the Village of Oneida. James Little’s Southside mill was known to be within the Village of Sunnyside.
Doomed by fire and daunted by flood, McKinnon had his share of bad luck with mills. His sawmill
, many times damaged by ice and shifted off its location by the 1861 flood, lasted until it burned in January 1942. The 1844 flour mill was rebuilt twice following fires in 1862 and 1876 and remained until Sept. 6, 1969 when fire struck again for the last time. The 1848 woollen mill burned and was rebuilt in 1863 but was left down after claimed arson took it in 1881, two years following McKinnon’s death.
The Southside mill, left free from fire and flood, withstood and still remains over 150 years later.
Our concentration on the flour mills only is where the claimed big milling business of the 1860 and 70’s took place. Up to then the two flour mills can only be presumed to have either been rented or managed for Little and McKinnon. Daniel McQuarrie was in partnership with McKinnon in the Northside mill from 1865 to 1869. This partnership came to a close and McQuarrie and James Thorburn bought the Southside mill known as Balmoral Mills, renaming it Grand River Mills.
In 1873 William Munro joined McQuarrie and Thorburn to buy out McKinnon’s flour milling business.
Thus, the trio had the successful flour business in Caledonia all to themselves. The fire that required rebuilding of the Northside mill in 1876 didn’t hold them back. The partnership was said to have the largest dealers in grain in the County of Haldimand
.
The Haldimand Atlas of 1877 also states they were turning out 1500 barrels weekly, paying out in cash a half million dollars annually, shipping mostly to Montreal
where it was sold in the lower provinces of the Dominion and Europe
.
In 1877 they shipped 6000 barrels direct to Glasgow, Scotland. Employment to about 40 men added to the prosperity of the village.
The Caledonia Dam
was registered to them under a “Bargain and Sale” from the Haldimand Navigation Company in 1875. Purchasing and improvements cost $5,000 which allowed them to furnish water power to McKinnon’s Woollen mill and a plaster mill
.
They were anxious to secure the erection of some other manufacturing establishment to which they would furnish water power at a reasonable rate. Things seemed to be going very well for McQuarrie, Thorburn, and Munro, according to the 1877 atlas.
But in 1880 the golden years of the partnership came to an abrupt halt and they were declared bankrupt. One wonders what part the 1876 rebuilding of the Northside mill played in the financial difficulty, and or just how true the hype really was in the 1877 Haldimand Atlas account.
The Northside mill was taken over by Robert Shirra.
Samuel Scott and Simeon Hewitt are claimed to be the financial principals. Robert Shirra paid $14,000 for undivided half of the rights and privileges in the dam, Samuel Scott paid $9,800 for an undivided half of the rights and privileges in the dam.
An agreement of January 1880 stated that William and High Scott, and Robert Shirra each of the two parties would be responsible for an undivided half of the dam, water and maintenance.
In Feb. 1884 a declaration of trust stated that Samuel, William and Hugh Scott and Simeon Hewitt as owners in equal shares of Balmoral Mills including share in the dam.
Samuel Scott died in 1886 and in time William became convinced that their mill might be better served another way. He canvassed many of his farmer friends and customers for miles around Caledonia persuading them to invest in shares of a new milling firm. There were successful examples in other milling establishments. And so on Feb 16, 1892 The Caledonia Milling Company Limited received its provincial charter and in March, 1892 a Bargain and Sale was recoded: “William Scot and wife and Hugh Scott and wife to The Caledonia Milling Co. Ltd. Supposed flouring mill and an undivided interest in Dam #5 – 2 acres, 2 roods, 9 perches.” (A rood is the fourth part of an acre, and a perch is a land measure of 5 and a half yards).
The new Caledonia Milling Company (Limited) would be taking over the manufacturing and merchant milling business of the firm of Scott Brothers of the Town of Caledonia in the County of Haldimand
. Farmers would be forming a joint stock company for the purpose of purchasing and taking over the business of what we know today as the Old Mill and all other businesses and property owned by Scott Brothers. William Scott would manage the business for the company.
A provisional Board of Directors was set up to pay necessary preliminary and promotion expenses and then to pay Scott Brothers for the business and property within three years from the date of the incorporation. When one half of the stock was subscribed and 20% paid, application was made for the incorporation of The Caledonia Milling Company (Limited). The Provisional Board of Directors had to approve the subscriptions for stock.
According to the prospectus for purchasing, the property which was located partly in the town of Caledonia and partly in the Township of Oneida consisted of a large modern and recently refitted and improved roller mill known as “The Balmoral Mills” with about three acres of land, ownership of one-half interest in the dam across the Grand River and of all rights connected, two Flour and Feed Stores together with the lands on which they stood and a large storage and shipping warehouse on the lands of the Grand Trunk Railway Company
at their station in Caledonia
.
Caledonia, at the time was said to be the centre of one of the wealthiest and finest wheat producing districts in Canada, the water power hard to equal and the railway shipping facilities all that could be desired.
The Balmoral Flouring Mill, formerly a four run stone mill of first class reputation, had a modern improved system of patent rolls with an easy capacity of 100 barrels per day. Its flour had earned a high reputation in the general markets and commanded a ready sale. At the time of incorporation it was run by water power rarely equalled in the province which would add to the profits of the business.
The Village Flour and Feed Store composed part of lot number one on the west side of Argyle Street corner of Caithness St. However, the new Milling Company would own the entire building which contained the head office, and two other stores as well as the upper storeys which would be rented at remunerative prices. It was said to be one of the most valuable properties in the town.
The other store known as the Caledonia Flour and Feed Store was on the east side of Wigton Street, on the second division of lot number 10, Southside of Forfar Street, and was said also to be a valuable property and a good business.
There were storehouses in connection with the flour and feed stores that were capable of storing large quantities of grain too.
The storehouse on lands of the Grand Trunk Railway Company was under a ground lease from Grand Trunk, had a switch from the railway in connection with it and had capital facilities for storing and shipping.
The North mill burned September 6, 1969.
Through a change of hands, the south mill was purchased by the Grand River Conservation Authority
who were hoping to turn the site into a conservation area and park. In 1979 they put the mill up for demolition. A committee of the Golden Horseshoe Antique Society saved the mill from demolition by having it designated under the Ontario Heritage Act
through the Haldimand County LACAC. (Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee).
The Golden Horseshoe Mill Committee put up a new roof, and re-painted the mill building. In 1998 The Caledonia Old Mill Corporation was formed by community members to take over the restoration of the mill. The COMC, a registered Ontario Charity is currently undertaking the restoration of the Caledonia mill through an Adaptive Re-Use Process.
. Machinery currently on display in the mill include: Roller Mills, centrifugal flour dresser, swing-sieve sifter, several bolting reels, separators, purifiers, and bucket elevator systems.
The Mill features a distinctive cupola
, a decorative feature rarely seen in Canadian mills of the era. The cupola gives a view of the Grand River Bridge
, the only nine-span bridge in Canada. It is likely that this cupola is used to allow light to shine on lineshafting on the top floor of the building.
, and the Millrace or Head race
is owned by the Grand River Conservation Authority
.
Haldimand County
. The river-front park is utilized by many organizations because of its scenic location along the Grand River
.
s largest winter light displays. The display which runs each year from late November to early January attracts thousands. A large number of holiday lights are synchronized to popular holdiay music.
Caledonia Bridge
Caledonia Dam
Flour mill
Flour Milling
Caledonia, Ontario
Caledonia is a small riverside community and former town located on the Grand River in Haldimand County, Ontario, Canada. Haldimand County is in the western part of the Niagara Peninsula, and had a population of 43,280 in 2001. The current mayor of Haldimand County is Ken Hewitt; Caledonia is...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Built in 1846, it is a heritage property under the Ontario Heritage Act
Ontario Heritage Act
The Ontario Heritage Act, first enacted on March 5, 1975, allows municipalities and the provincial government to designate individual properties and districts in the Province of Ontario, Canada, as being of cultural heritage value or interest....
. It is the last water powered mill along the Grand River
Grand River (Ontario)
The Grand River is a large river in southwestern Ontario, Canada. From its source, it flows south through Grand Valley, Fergus, Elora, Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, Paris, Brantford, Caledonia, and Cayuga before emptying into the north shore of Lake Erie south of Dunnville at Port Maitland...
of Ontario.
Location
The Caledonia Mill is located on the banks of the Canadian Heritage Grand RiverGrand River (Ontario)
The Grand River is a large river in southwestern Ontario, Canada. From its source, it flows south through Grand Valley, Fergus, Elora, Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, Paris, Brantford, Caledonia, and Cayuga before emptying into the north shore of Lake Erie south of Dunnville at Port Maitland...
, in Caledonia, Ontario
Caledonia, Ontario
Caledonia is a small riverside community and former town located on the Grand River in Haldimand County, Ontario, Canada. Haldimand County is in the western part of the Niagara Peninsula, and had a population of 43,280 in 2001. The current mayor of Haldimand County is Ken Hewitt; Caledonia is...
Canada.
History
No-one has pinpointed an actual date when the Old Mill was built other than to say it was about 1846. From then to 1892, it would seem the flour milling industry in Caledonia was big business but not without competition across the river or financial difficulty.Caledonia founder Ranald McKinnon’s milling enterprises on the Northside by 1850 comprised a sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
, flour mill, and woollen mill. This Northside area of mill was known to be within the Village of Oneida. James Little’s Southside mill was known to be within the Village of Sunnyside.
Doomed by fire and daunted by flood, McKinnon had his share of bad luck with mills. His sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
, many times damaged by ice and shifted off its location by the 1861 flood, lasted until it burned in January 1942. The 1844 flour mill was rebuilt twice following fires in 1862 and 1876 and remained until Sept. 6, 1969 when fire struck again for the last time. The 1848 woollen mill burned and was rebuilt in 1863 but was left down after claimed arson took it in 1881, two years following McKinnon’s death.
The Southside mill, left free from fire and flood, withstood and still remains over 150 years later.
Our concentration on the flour mills only is where the claimed big milling business of the 1860 and 70’s took place. Up to then the two flour mills can only be presumed to have either been rented or managed for Little and McKinnon. Daniel McQuarrie was in partnership with McKinnon in the Northside mill from 1865 to 1869. This partnership came to a close and McQuarrie and James Thorburn bought the Southside mill known as Balmoral Mills, renaming it Grand River Mills.
In 1873 William Munro joined McQuarrie and Thorburn to buy out McKinnon’s flour milling business.
Thus, the trio had the successful flour business in Caledonia all to themselves. The fire that required rebuilding of the Northside mill in 1876 didn’t hold them back. The partnership was said to have the largest dealers in grain in the County of Haldimand
Haldimand County
Haldimand is a rural city-status single-tier municipality on the Niagara Peninsula in Southern Ontario, Canada, on the north shore of Lake Erie, and on the Grand River. Municipal offices are located in Cayuga....
.
The Haldimand Atlas of 1877 also states they were turning out 1500 barrels weekly, paying out in cash a half million dollars annually, shipping mostly to Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
where it was sold in the lower provinces of the Dominion and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
In 1877 they shipped 6000 barrels direct to Glasgow, Scotland. Employment to about 40 men added to the prosperity of the village.
The Caledonia Dam
Caledonia Dam
The Caledonia Dam, also known as the Grand River Dam, is a dam on the Grand River constructed upstream from the Caledonia Bridge in Caledonia, Ontario, Canada.- History :...
was registered to them under a “Bargain and Sale” from the Haldimand Navigation Company in 1875. Purchasing and improvements cost $5,000 which allowed them to furnish water power to McKinnon’s Woollen mill and a plaster mill
Plaster Mill
Plaster Mill, is located in Stanhope, New Jersey. The mill was built in 1815 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 3, 1977.-References:...
.
They were anxious to secure the erection of some other manufacturing establishment to which they would furnish water power at a reasonable rate. Things seemed to be going very well for McQuarrie, Thorburn, and Munro, according to the 1877 atlas.
But in 1880 the golden years of the partnership came to an abrupt halt and they were declared bankrupt. One wonders what part the 1876 rebuilding of the Northside mill played in the financial difficulty, and or just how true the hype really was in the 1877 Haldimand Atlas account.
The Northside mill was taken over by Robert Shirra.
Scott Brothers
It was an employee of Grand River Mills, William Scott, a younger brother-in-law of Munro, who wanted to see the milling of flour continue at the Southside mill. So he formed a partnership called Scott Brothers in which he was joined by his brothers Samuel and Hugh and his brother-in-law Simeon Hewitt, a lawyer, of Brantford.Samuel Scott and Simeon Hewitt are claimed to be the financial principals. Robert Shirra paid $14,000 for undivided half of the rights and privileges in the dam, Samuel Scott paid $9,800 for an undivided half of the rights and privileges in the dam.
An agreement of January 1880 stated that William and High Scott, and Robert Shirra each of the two parties would be responsible for an undivided half of the dam, water and maintenance.
In Feb. 1884 a declaration of trust stated that Samuel, William and Hugh Scott and Simeon Hewitt as owners in equal shares of Balmoral Mills including share in the dam.
Samuel Scott died in 1886 and in time William became convinced that their mill might be better served another way. He canvassed many of his farmer friends and customers for miles around Caledonia persuading them to invest in shares of a new milling firm. There were successful examples in other milling establishments. And so on Feb 16, 1892 The Caledonia Milling Company Limited received its provincial charter and in March, 1892 a Bargain and Sale was recoded: “William Scot and wife and Hugh Scott and wife to The Caledonia Milling Co. Ltd. Supposed flouring mill and an undivided interest in Dam #5 – 2 acres, 2 roods, 9 perches.” (A rood is the fourth part of an acre, and a perch is a land measure of 5 and a half yards).
The Caledonia Milling Company Limited
The Caledonia Milling Company (Limited) received its charter February 16, 1892 with capital stock of $25,000, divided into 500 shares of $50 each. Each shareholder was to pay 20% on or before the first day of December 1891 and the balance at six percent per annum was due within one year.The new Caledonia Milling Company (Limited) would be taking over the manufacturing and merchant milling business of the firm of Scott Brothers of the Town of Caledonia in the County of Haldimand
Haldimand County
Haldimand is a rural city-status single-tier municipality on the Niagara Peninsula in Southern Ontario, Canada, on the north shore of Lake Erie, and on the Grand River. Municipal offices are located in Cayuga....
. Farmers would be forming a joint stock company for the purpose of purchasing and taking over the business of what we know today as the Old Mill and all other businesses and property owned by Scott Brothers. William Scott would manage the business for the company.
A provisional Board of Directors was set up to pay necessary preliminary and promotion expenses and then to pay Scott Brothers for the business and property within three years from the date of the incorporation. When one half of the stock was subscribed and 20% paid, application was made for the incorporation of The Caledonia Milling Company (Limited). The Provisional Board of Directors had to approve the subscriptions for stock.
According to the prospectus for purchasing, the property which was located partly in the town of Caledonia and partly in the Township of Oneida consisted of a large modern and recently refitted and improved roller mill known as “The Balmoral Mills” with about three acres of land, ownership of one-half interest in the dam across the Grand River and of all rights connected, two Flour and Feed Stores together with the lands on which they stood and a large storage and shipping warehouse on the lands of the Grand Trunk Railway Company
Grand Trunk Railway
The Grand Trunk Railway was a railway system which operated in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario, as well as the American states of Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The railway was operated from headquarters in Montreal, Quebec; however, corporate...
at their station in Caledonia
Caledonia Train Station
The Caledonia Grand Trunk Railway Station was built in 1908 by the Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada. The station was the third to be built in Caledonia....
.
Caledonia, at the time was said to be the centre of one of the wealthiest and finest wheat producing districts in Canada, the water power hard to equal and the railway shipping facilities all that could be desired.
The Balmoral Flouring Mill, formerly a four run stone mill of first class reputation, had a modern improved system of patent rolls with an easy capacity of 100 barrels per day. Its flour had earned a high reputation in the general markets and commanded a ready sale. At the time of incorporation it was run by water power rarely equalled in the province which would add to the profits of the business.
The Village Flour and Feed Store composed part of lot number one on the west side of Argyle Street corner of Caithness St. However, the new Milling Company would own the entire building which contained the head office, and two other stores as well as the upper storeys which would be rented at remunerative prices. It was said to be one of the most valuable properties in the town.
The other store known as the Caledonia Flour and Feed Store was on the east side of Wigton Street, on the second division of lot number 10, Southside of Forfar Street, and was said also to be a valuable property and a good business.
There were storehouses in connection with the flour and feed stores that were capable of storing large quantities of grain too.
The storehouse on lands of the Grand Trunk Railway Company was under a ground lease from Grand Trunk, had a switch from the railway in connection with it and had capital facilities for storing and shipping.
Later History
The Caledonia Milling Company surrendered it's charter in 1964. Immediately the mill's and their adjoining properties were sold off to a company by the name of LH&J Enterprises, made up of three gentlemen. In the early 1970s it seems that LH&J had sold the north mill and were leasing the South mill to Jan & leona Buta.The North mill burned September 6, 1969.
Through a change of hands, the south mill was purchased by the Grand River Conservation Authority
Grand River Conservation Authority
The Grand River Conservation Authority is a conservation authority in Ontario, Canada. It operates under the Conservation Authorities Act of Ontario...
who were hoping to turn the site into a conservation area and park. In 1979 they put the mill up for demolition. A committee of the Golden Horseshoe Antique Society saved the mill from demolition by having it designated under the Ontario Heritage Act
Ontario Heritage Act
The Ontario Heritage Act, first enacted on March 5, 1975, allows municipalities and the provincial government to designate individual properties and districts in the Province of Ontario, Canada, as being of cultural heritage value or interest....
through the Haldimand County LACAC. (Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee).
The Golden Horseshoe Mill Committee put up a new roof, and re-painted the mill building. In 1998 The Caledonia Old Mill Corporation was formed by community members to take over the restoration of the mill. The COMC, a registered Ontario Charity is currently undertaking the restoration of the Caledonia mill through an Adaptive Re-Use Process.
Power
The Caledonia Mill was powered by three water turbines. One being significantly smaller than the others. Most lineshafting which connects leather belts and pulleys to machinery is still connected to the turbines which are currently still in place.Equipment
The Mill still contains a large amount of its machinery, as well as machinery transported from Apps Mill near Brantford, OntarioBrantford, Ontario
Brantford is a city located on the Grand River in Southern Ontario, Canada. While geographically surrounded by the County of Brant, the city is politically independent...
. Machinery currently on display in the mill include: Roller Mills, centrifugal flour dresser, swing-sieve sifter, several bolting reels, separators, purifiers, and bucket elevator systems.
Later Extensions
There have been two major additions to the Mill. The first occurred in the 1880s when a two story L-shaped addition was added. The second was a two-story annex added in the 1900s. The three sections combine to make up the look of mill as it stands today.The Mill features a distinctive cupola
Cupola
In architecture, a cupola is a small, most-often dome-like, structure on top of a building. Often used to provide a lookout or to admit light and air, it usually crowns a larger roof or dome....
, a decorative feature rarely seen in Canadian mills of the era. The cupola gives a view of the Grand River Bridge
Grand River Bridge (Ontario)
The Caledonia Bridge, also known as the Grand River Bridge is a road bridge located in Caledonia, Ontario, Canada on Argyle Street....
, the only nine-span bridge in Canada. It is likely that this cupola is used to allow light to shine on lineshafting on the top floor of the building.
Usage
At the present time the Caledonia Mill is closed to public access due to unsafe conditions.Owners
The Caledonia Old Mill Corporation are the current owners of the Mill building and the property on which it stands. The river-front park is owned by Haldimand CountyHaldimand County
Haldimand is a rural city-status single-tier municipality on the Niagara Peninsula in Southern Ontario, Canada, on the north shore of Lake Erie, and on the Grand River. Municipal offices are located in Cayuga....
, and the Millrace or Head race
Head race
A head race is a time-trial competition in the sport of rowing, also known as crew to a few USA organizations. Head races are typically held in the fall and spring seasons. These events draw many athletes as well as observers...
is owned by the Grand River Conservation Authority
Grand River Conservation Authority
The Grand River Conservation Authority is a conservation authority in Ontario, Canada. It operates under the Conservation Authorities Act of Ontario...
.
Tenants
For a short time in the 2000s, the Mill was utilized by the Grand Mill Theatre Company who used the main floor as a performing arts space.Public Access
As mentioned above, the Mill is currently closed to public access. In 2011, the mill will be included in Doors OpenDoors Open
Doors Open is a 2008 novel by crime writer Ian Rankin. It is his first stand alone thriller in over 10 years.The story was originally published as a serial novel in The New York Times Magazine.- Plot outline :...
Haldimand County
Haldimand County
Haldimand is a rural city-status single-tier municipality on the Niagara Peninsula in Southern Ontario, Canada, on the north shore of Lake Erie, and on the Grand River. Municipal offices are located in Cayuga....
. The river-front park is utilized by many organizations because of its scenic location along the Grand River
Grand River (Ontario)
The Grand River is a large river in southwestern Ontario, Canada. From its source, it flows south through Grand Valley, Fergus, Elora, Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, Paris, Brantford, Caledonia, and Cayuga before emptying into the north shore of Lake Erie south of Dunnville at Port Maitland...
.
Notable Events
Since 2008 the Caledonia Mill has been home to one of Southern OntarioSouthern Ontario
Southern Ontario is a region of the province of Ontario, Canada that lies south of the French River and Algonquin Park. Depending on the inclusion of the Parry Sound and Muskoka districts, its surface area would cover between 14 to 15% of the province. It is the southernmost region of...
s largest winter light displays. The display which runs each year from late November to early January attracts thousands. A large number of holiday lights are synchronized to popular holdiay music.
Culture & Media
The Caledonia Mill is featured on many websites including Facebook, YouTube, and on the website for the Caledonia Old Mill Corporation.See also
Caledonia, OntarioCaledonia, Ontario
Caledonia is a small riverside community and former town located on the Grand River in Haldimand County, Ontario, Canada. Haldimand County is in the western part of the Niagara Peninsula, and had a population of 43,280 in 2001. The current mayor of Haldimand County is Ken Hewitt; Caledonia is...
Caledonia Bridge
Grand River Bridge
The Caledonia Bridge, also known as the Grand River Bridge is a road bridge located in Caledonia, Ontario, Canada on Argyle Street....
Caledonia Dam
Caledonia Dam
The Caledonia Dam, also known as the Grand River Dam, is a dam on the Grand River constructed upstream from the Caledonia Bridge in Caledonia, Ontario, Canada.- History :...
Flour mill
Flour Milling