The Vittoria Mill - Vittoria, Ontario/Canada
Posted by: 
Simrebel
N 42° 45.929 W 080° 18.187
17T E 557017 N 4735007
The Vittoria Mill First and Longest operating Mill
Waymark Code: WMRW0W
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 08/10/2016
Views: 9
The Vittoria Mill
This monument marks the general location of one of
Vittoria's first and longest operating mill sites. In the early
days of settlement, the establishment of communities was
contingent upon harnessing power from a steady water
source such as this one, to grind flour for bread and to saw
timber for building materials. To this end, United Empire
Loyalist John Gustin made his way here from New Jersey
after the American Revolutionary War. Attracted like many
others by glowing stories of the virgin territory around Long
Point Bay and Norfolk County, he expressed interest in
land in these parts to Lieutenant Governor John Graves
Simcoe. He received a recommendation for a lot in 1796
subsequently moved his family to this area and received
title t these lands in 1798. Between 1805 and 1810, John
built a saw and grist mill on this property to provide for the
growing community. In time its operation passed to his
two sons, who sold it in 1821 to Mathew H, Tisdale.
In 1947, a new and more elaborate mill and distillery,
standing an impressive five stories tall, was erected here
by Henry Anderson. In the ensuing years, it was owned,
leased and rented by many others who maintained its
operation. In 1909 however, it was destroyed by fire and
a nearby outbuilding that survived was moved to the newly
vacant site and converted into a much smaller mill. It was
purchased by Meno Neal, then by George Schram and
finally by Elwood Smith in 1918, The mill remained in the
Smith family to the end of it's days, ceasing operation
forever in 1952
In 1957, the Smith family sold the mill, the mill pond and
the Adjacent property to the Big Creek Conservation
Authority. Dismantling of the structure began in May, 1959
and the foundation remained until 1964, when it was
removed during construction of the new dam.
Erected by the Heritage Committee of the Victoria & District Foundation
Group that erected the marker: Heritage Committee of the Victoria & District Foundation
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
180 Mill Pond rd
Vittoria (Norfolk), Ontario Canada
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the marker, preferably including yourself or your GPSr in the photo. A very detailed description of your visit may be substituted for a photo. In any case please provide a description of your visit. A description of only "Visited" or "Saw it while on vacation" by anyone other than the person creating the waymark may be deleted by the waymark owner or the category officers.