Grist Mill & Sawmill
In 1871 a firm known as Garland & Johnston was formed which at some unknown point was taken over by two men named Mutchmor & McNevin. The first sawmill and grist mill (flour mill) was constructed by Mutchmor & McNevin. The only evidence remaining is a concrete abutment on the west bank of the Mindemoya River. The mill was operated by a wheel and was driven by water power.
 
The railway tracks, that are mentioned in connection with the old slab dock, originated from here and ran along the west bank of the Mindemoya River from the sawmill to the slab dock. The small rail lines main purpose was to carry timber to be loaded on the awaiting ships/barges in Lake Huron.

Horse drawn wagons were also used to take lumber and flour supplies to the dock to be loaded. This dock was located near the mouth of the Mindemoya River. An unfortunate accident occurred once involving a team of horses that could not stop in time. The horses went off the end of the dock and drowned in the Mindemoya River.

 

When the Mutchmor Mill ceased operation the train tracks were removed and the slab docks were left to deteriorate.

There is very little left to be seen these days at the site of the old slab dock. If one was to go looking for remains, keep in mind that the mouth of the Mindemoya River has meandered over about a mile from where it is now located.

The Mindemoya River now appears to be fairly confined to its present location in the year 2005.

 

Grist Mill (on left) and Sawmill (on right)

Mutchmor Sawmill

2004

The original wooden crib still exists over 100 years later

Gristmill & Sawmill Site 2004

Albert Davis Sawmill

Thank you to Lyle Dewar of Providence Bay for gathering and taking photographs, information and for his time.

Anyone with photographs of Albert Davis, his family and Sawmill please submit them to the History Project. Go back to the homepage and click on Contact Us to email your photographs and information or to view the mailing information.

Albert Davis and his father (name unknown) farmed in Mills Township. On the farm a steam sawmill was in operation. Upon selling the farm they moved to Providence Bay and bought the Boyle Boarding House (Lot 20 McNevin Street). The father and son team ran the Boarding House serving meals and renting rooms to boarders for a good while.

Albert Davis and his father started the sawmill business on the Mindemoya River, north of the cemetery. Albert Davis had viewed the Scott Sawmill located in Mills Township and decided to build a replica of it and run by water.

Albert Davis had the waterwheel hauled from the old Mutchmor mill. The old mill was downstream below the block machine kiln. It is figured that men hauled the waterwheel on a stone boat with a team of horses up the near dry river had after removing the crown gear from the waterwheel shaft, as it was very heavy.

Delbert Pattison drilled the cavity in the flat rock on the river bed; and placed in the cavity a heavy green hard wood naturally oiled bearing called Lignumvitae. This African wood was rounded out to the end of the water wheel shaft where it would be constantly lubricated with water.

After having the waterwheel in the husk installed, Albert Davis and helpers hand poured the cement wall across the river. This was to divert the water from the river bed over the plouceway on the side of the river that channeled the rushing river water towards the 36" water wheel. The water gates could be opened and the water rushing against them would turn the water wheel that in turn rotated the crown gear above and then another gear turned the 2" line shaft that run pulleys that connect to the 38" circular saw that cut the logs.

The Albert Davis Sawmill water heel was the same size as Scott Mill waterwheel. The carriage and mill was a model out of Guelph and waterwheel came from Meaford originally. The mill had a roof as this area was used for sawing for about 15 years in the 1940's era. The Albert Davis Sawmill could hold enough water in the mill pond to saw for approximately 3 to 4 hours. Once empty men would stop the logs to let the water build up again for the next time.

 The Albert Davis Sawmill sawed not only logs with the water power, but they also sawed shingles and sold then for $37.35 (3 packs to a square). One bill brought forth to support this proof was from S.S. No. 7 - Kaytown School.

Albert Davis's plainning shed

Albert Davis's Sawmill

Crown Gear inside mill.

Albert Davis's Sawmill

Bottom of the mill and carriage.

Albert Davis's Sawmill

Concrete foundation of the mill along the Mindemoya River.

The next four pictures are a view the Scott Mill, which is located in Mills Township on the Western end of Manitoulin Island. These photographs were taken simply to give a better idea of what the Albert Davis Sawmill looked like, as the Albert Davis Sawmill was created as a replica of the Scott Mill.

Scott Mill

Scott Mill

Main Sawblade

Scott Mill

Scott Mill

Crown gear with wooden cog's.

Sylvester Berry Mill

 
The Sylvester Berry Mill was situated on Lot 17 East Munro Street.

The mill was operated by an old steam engine and boiler. Amazingly the Mill never caught fire during it's course of operation. The mill ceased to function about 1924 and was torn down. No other information or photographs have yet been submitted about this mill.

Today a house stands on the once Sylvester Berry Mill property.

 

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