One the opposite page is shown “Yorkton’s First Grist Mill”. It was built by the York Famers’ Colonization Company in 1884 on the east bank of the small river which flows by west of Old Yorkton. The construction of the mill at that time did two things; it provid-work and wages and put new money into circulation and provided a local source of flour, both of which were always in short supply. It eliminated long hard journeys, sometimes to Fort Ellice at the confluence of the Assiniboine and Qu’Appelle rivers, a distance of 100 miles and later to Whitewood when the railroad reached that point. The heavy machinery and other mill equipment was hauled from Whitewood over prairie trails not suitable for heavy loads. A most difficult task.
The mill operated for a few years due to the early arrival of the railroad at Saltcoats in 1888 and at the new townsite of Yorkton in 1890, when flour became readily available from outside points and in addition probably better refined or milled flour.
The picture above shows the foundation is the last remaining land mark indicating the location of the original townsite of Yorkton.
Old timers and others standing on the mill foundation in 1947 are, from the left; D. Arnett, Miss Pauline Summers, F. O. Langstaff, D. Fergus, W. H. Wilkinson, H. M. Jackson, H. M. Bailey, Mayor Chas. A. Peaker, Geo. Parsons, Frank Collacott, Miss Ruth Beck, next two not known the Frank meyer and J. E. Hockley.
Photo by Cliff Shaw.