'A long journey': Historic flour mill in Yorkton opens to public
Yorkton’s historic brick flour mill opened to the public on Tuesday.
“It’s really nice to have people coming through to see this really important part of Yorkton’s history,” tour guide Megan Kirby said.
The landmark was built in 1900 and is the only brick flour mill in Western Canada, according to Brick Mill Heritage Society Member Larry Pearen.
"We're excited to have the doors open finally, it's been a long journey, (and) eight years of fundraising,” he said.
So far, $300,000 was invested into the almost 125 year old building. The structure of the mill has withstood the test of time and Pearen said it has three and four layers of brick for each wall.
Within those walls is all of the original equipment.
"We're very lucky,” Pearen said. “It's not operational and it never will be, but at least it's there, so, you can see all of the mechanics in the building.”
The building has three floors and a basement. The basement is closed to the public due to fire code.
Historically, the wheat would be processed six times before it was turned to flour. A series of pipes would transport the product from the basement to the top floor, where it would be sifted through.
The pipes are located on the second floor. Before the days of metal clamps, pipes were held together by gum made from wheat.
"Every morning, you'd come in, and half of these pipes would have fallen down, so you'd have to chew wheat to get gum and stick it back together again," said Pearen.
On the first floor, there are six mills to break down wheat and machines to bag the final product.
"This mill and wheat exchange program saved their family’s lives, because they could bring in wheat and take home an equivalent amount of flour from it," Kirby said.
“I’m just really excited to share local history.”
Tours are free of charge and can be booked online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.