This Landmark Grist Mill was constructed in 1833-34 for the Ojibwa natives 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.
Photo: http://millpictures.com/images/mills//Ont-Severn-01-Coldwater_Mill-2-rtk-9-5-07.jpg