About Coldwater Heritage Mill

This Landmark Grist Mill was constructed in 1833-34 for the Ojibway who had been settled on 3969 hectares (9800 acres) between the Coldwater River and the Narrows at Orillia on the western side of Lake Couchiching. In 1830 Sir John Colborne, Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada created the Reserve upon which some 500 native people were settled. This was following a battle in which the natives had helped defend York, now Toronto from the Americans. The native leaders were Chief John Assance, William Muskuakie (Yellowhead) and Joseph Snake.

By 1831 a good start had been made on farming in the area and some five hundred bushels (17,500 litres) of grain had been harvested and it was evident that it was of little use unless a Grist Mill was established in the area.

A master carpenter named Bell prepared the estimates for the construction of the Grist Mill for the Department of Indian Affairs, based on plans provided by George Philpotts of the Royal Engineers in 1831. The Grist Mill was to be 13.5 meters by 8.4 meters (45 feet by 28 feet) with three storeys 2.7 meters, 3.6 meters, and 1.5 meters, (nine feet, 12 feet, and five feet on a 1.5-meter (five-foot) foundation. Consisting of five bents using .3 by .3 meters (12 inch by 12 inch) timbers with 3.6 meters and 4.2 meters (12 foot and 14 foot beams.

In the winter of 1831 and 1832 the heavy equipment was purchased and moved to Coldwater as travel with such materials was easier in winter. By March of 1832 two sets of 1.35 meter, (four foot) French buhrstones, and the mill irons had arrived.

The sawmill was built first and the timbers for the Gristmill were prepared, however excavations for the dam and millrace went very slowly.

Now ready to go with construction of the mill Lieutenant James Givens, Chief Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Upper Canada, refused to provide funds for construction. In the end the natives who were desperate for the mill agreed the 800 pound cost of constructing the mill be deducted from their 1200 pound land money in 1833. They reduced the specifications lowering the costs and work began in early May 1833.

The mill was constructed under the supervision of a man named Anderson, the foreman was Jacob Gill and the Millwright was Henry Hodgson. The Grist Mill was built entirely with Native money. Givens also charged them for the millstones and irons sent up the year before.

The building was completed by the end of August and varied from the original specifications. It was 14.4 meters by 8.4 meters (forty-eight feet by 28 feet) and two storeys and there were six bents rather then five. An additional 400 pounds was required to finish the mill, and it was taken from the natives allotment in 1834.

The trail starts behind the four out-buildings beyond the Friendship Pole. The older structure is the actual cupola from the Musical Barn. Near this is the former location of the dam that provided water for the Coldwater Mill. The lands that were flooded due to the dam were owned by the Mill. 

The dam was seriously damaged by Hurricane Hazel in 1954. This is rich, salty bottom land. Strolling along the river is very peaceful. The water is not deep or fast but does have fish. People can often be seen fishing along the river. We can imagine the early people, before Europeans, canoeing this river, fishing, hunting and trapping.

There is a spot at the end of our trail for sitting and one for standing to fish. This is our Fishing Hole. There are tall Silver Maple trees for shade. We have planted native vegetables for bank stabilization and visual enjoyment. There are red dogwood, ostrich ferns, service berry, aster, nanny berry, maiden hair fern, elderberry and others. Returning on the same grassy trail takes you back to the Mill. There are White Pine, Cedar, Manitoba Maple, buttercups and some large Black Walnut trees.