The Millstone has published its first instalment of 365 FACTS ABOUT MISSISSIPPI MILLS. It will be a series of posts for Canada’s 150th birthday this year — “365 Facts About Mississippi Mills.” So I thought I would begin to a few about Carleton Place.
The facts below are from the flyer passed out on January 1: Carleton Place-A Valley Town at Confederation 1867 by the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum. I have personally added some extra tidbits under the facts.
Photo from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
Fact- Industries included a grist mill, carding mill, shingle mill, a tannery and David Findlays’ foundry. James Gillies was constructing his new sawmill, soon to employ 100 men, and produce 10,000 feet of lumber per day.
Did you know why the turbine wheels were put outside the main stone walls on free standing timbers at the MCArthur Mill? Find out here: The River Dance of the McArthur Mill in Carleton Place.
Photo from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
Have you ever heard the story about Roy Bates who owned a spectacular Airedale dog? Read more here-Roy Bates and His Dog Named Taffy— ahh Paddy
Photo from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
Do you know the story behind this millstone on Mill Street? The original millstone was found during the renovations. What makes it so significant? Find out here: Down by the Old Mill Stream — Carleton Place
Photo from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
Fact- Shops on Bell, Bridge and Mill Street were open from 6 a.m until 10 p.m and the average work day for laborers was 11 hours.
Did you know the block of Bell Street next to Bridge Street was the second early business section of the town? Read more here: Bell Street– Carleton Place Ontario
Did you know about our earlier businesses like William Kelly who was the proprietor of the British Hotel, on Bridge st. corner of High Street? The travelling public will find this a good house to stop at, as it is centrally situated, and every attention is paid to the comfort of its guests. Read more here: Business Directory of Carleton Place 1866 and 1867- Any name you recognize?
Photo of Edward John Griffith from Maryanne Bannon Robertson, Burlington Ontario
Or how about a butcher from The Central Meat Market that we dug deep to find. Read more Edward John Griffith here: Name That Carleton Place Butcher? FOUND!!
The inner remains of Findlay’s- Photo from the Delmer Dunlop Collection at Archives Lanark
Photo from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
So many stories about the Findlay Foundry– where do you begin? Some kids even learned to swear walking by the Findlay plant each day– and when the daily whistles coming from the plant stopped– the town mourned for a business that helped make our town. Click here for many links to stories about the Findlay Foundry-Looking for Names- Findlay Foundry
Related Reading-
Facts You Might Not Know About Carleton Place for our 15oth-part 1
Facts You Might Not Know About Carleton Place for our 150th Birthday – Part 2
Facts You Might Not Know About Carleton Place for our 150th Birthday – Part 3
Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.
Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News and now in The Townships Sun
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