Birge Mills

History

The small community that became known as Birge Mills got its start in 1843. That was when American-born Edward Huxtable built a dam and sawmill on Lutterill’s Creek. Edward had passed away by 1850. He left behind behind his wife Harriet and young son James, aged about six or seven. The mill continued operating and became known as Birge Mill by 1855. Interestingly, according to records, the Birge family didn’t own the mill until much later. It is possible they may have been operating it.

The Birge family, who were close relatives of the Huxtables, also came from the United States. John Birge arrived in Canada around 1840 and eventually settled in Eramosa. His son, John Alonzo, known as ‘Lon’, was born in 1842. Young Lon grew up with sawdust in his blood. As he matured, he went on to train in the mill as a sawyer. Around the mid-1860s he assisted his cousin James Huxtable. By then, James was an experienced millwright, build a new sawmill in nearby Shiloh. The two young men made an instant success of the mill. Tragically James lost his leg in a sawmill accident some years later.

By 1870 Lon Birge was already a skilled millwright. He had gained valuable business experience when he helped set up the mill at Shiloh. Now ready for bigger challenges, he purchased the Huxtable sawmill from his late uncle’s estate, and quickly set up shop. After upgrading the equipment, Birge formed a partnership with Nicholas Lynett, who had purchased the Shiloh mill from James Huxtable following the accident. The pair began contracting for bush lots where they could harvest the timber. Lon waited 10 years before expanding his operation, but once he added the stone grist mill and a grain chopping mill, his business really took off. The mill developed an excellent reputation for its high quality flour. The flour was widely distributed throughout the area.

Lon Birge was a thoughtful entrepreneur who based his business model on an early form of ‘one-stop shopping’ for the local farm community. His goal was to attract the farmers and target all their business needs in one simple trip. Not only could they have their raw materials processed but they could also find a blacksmith, tinsmith, repair shop, a buggy factory and a shoemakers. They could also find a host of markets for their surplus goods.

As the busy mill expanded and prospered, many of the tradespeople and workers found it more convenient to live near the mill. Over time a small hamlet, that included a number of small workers’ cottages, began to blossom. The mill was in a good location to attract a small community. A school, S.S. #3 Eramosa, was located on Concession 2, Lot 20. A Presbyterian church, more commonly known as the Barrie Hill Church, stood on Concession 1, Lot 21 since the 1840s. Congregationalists could attend the Speedside Church, located in nearby Armstrong Mills. Birge Mills never had a post office. Residents could travel to nearby Oustic, where they could pick up their mail at Robert Scott’s general store. They could quench their thirst with a mug of suds at James Oakes’ hotel.

Unfortunately for Lon Birge, the 20th century was not kind. Depletion of the local lumber supplies and competition for the wheat market from the prairie-provinces resulted in serious financial losses. His two sons, William John, a sawyer, and Charles, a miller, took over the business. They successfully reorganized it on a smaller scale. Over time the surrounding community of Birge Mills slowly faded away. The Birge brothers eventually sold the business to the Wheeler brothers, who switched the operation over to livestock feed. The mill continued to operate until 1991.

After the mill was closed, it was renovated and turned into a private home. Although the road leading to the mill is on private property, the building can be easily seen from the main road. A few other attractive rural homes, dating from the same period, are scattered throughout the area. The nearby school is also private dwelling. Both the Barrie Hill and Speedside churches, now both part of the United Church, continue to function. The area remains occupied by a combination of farmers and rural dwellers.