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 The Grist Mill at
Foresters Falls
Submitted by Drew Bulmer. Picture thanks to V A May,
daughter of S. J. May.
Directions
At the East end of Foresters Falls village, looking North
from the bridge over McNaughtons Creek
History
This mill was built in 1888 by William McLeese, an early
settler and millwright. Situated just below the waterfall, the mill was run on
waterpower. Water from McNaughton's Creek, known as the Pond, flowed over the
dam and ran through a flume to where it turned the water wheel which powered
the mill to grind the grain.
Robert Gardiner bought the mill from William McLeese. In
1904 he sold it to Samuel J May who ran it for 40 years. After his death in
1943, his wife sold it to William G. Pettigrew. The mill burned down twice and
was rebuilt. When it burned for the third time in the late 1940's it was not
rebuilt.
While S.J. May owned the mill he employed several men, Wm.
Howard, Andrew Pettigrew, Hugh Byce, Jack Herron and Harry Jack. There were no
fires or accidents during that time. He operated it as a flour and grist mill
until after 1916 when western wheat became more popular for flour than that
made from our local wheat. The flour machinery was then converted into that for
seed cleaning and for grinding grain. Farmers hauled their grain to be ground
into feed for their livestock, horses, cows, pigs and poultry.
Though there was a stone foundation, the mill itself was
made of wood. About 1944 the mill burned down. It was rebuilt but was again
burned. It was never rebuilt. It seems sad that this old landmark of Forester's
Falls is gone forever. (top) |