Friday, February 9, 2018

The Old Mill In Wintertime

On the last Sunday in January, I headed over to the Portage Bridge to photograph the view of the Ottawa River downstream, as part of a post that will come in late March. The river in this area goes around a number of islands. Before reaching the main channel, one comes across Victoria Island. The old Willson Carbide Mill drew my eye. A legacy of the industrial use of these islands, it is fenced off to keep out trespassers, though the building itself still looks sound. It was built circa 1899-1900. I last showed it to you in the fall.


Here we have a view from the bridge, over the main channel of the river. The water here tends to stay open over the winter, which is due to the Chaudiere Falls, upstream from here, churning the water and sending it swiftly downstream. There's no marker on the Portage Bridge as to the boundary between Ontario and Quebec, but this is roughly halfway out in the main channel, so for all purposes, I'm at the provincial boundary.


Coming back, I went down off the road onto the island, which is quiet through the winter. I wanted different perspectives of the mill and its adjoining structure.

36 comments:

  1. ...William, a wonderful piece of history!

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  2. I'll bet this old mill could tell a few stories William.

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  3. That's a wonderful old building! I wonder why it has such a long, low extension. Must be something about how a mill works.

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  4. Althought I can't see a mill in it, it's a wonderful old building. A great piece of industrial history.

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  5. The stone structure looks indestructible!

    Janis
    GDP

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  6. It’s a great looking old building!

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  7. @Tom: it is!

    @Joe: it could.

    @Lowell: they would have worked in there at one point. I'm just wondering if part of it was always roofless. If that was the case, maybe it was something of a storage yard.

    @Francisco: thanks!

    @Jan: I think it depends on how one defines a mill. It's certainly not a windmill!

    @Janis: it does, yes.

    @Marie: I agree.

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  8. Interesting history William, doesn't look much like a traditional mill. Looks very desolate in the middle of all that snow.

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  9. Fabulous pics of the mill, William. I hope it is eventually used for something!

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  10. You do take the time to show us interesting places and buildings/monuments. Thank you.

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  11. Somebody in their wisdom decided to keep the old mill. It's a very interesting historical building.

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  12. It's sitting pretty out there against that blue sky!

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  13. Would seem there must a good use for this magnificent building ~ Great wintry shots!

    Happy Weekend to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  14. The mill looks pretty solid William. Lovely to see some blue sky above and the snow below ☺

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  15. @Sami: I've seen mills like this elsewhere here- field stone structures that would have been flour or woodmills at one point, and are converted into other uses.

    @RedPat: I think because of its location, any use of the property has to go through approvals with the First Nations people who have use of the other part of this area.

    @Catarina: you're welcome.

    @Red: yes, it has a designated historic status.

    @Sharon: the mood would be completely different on an overcast day.

    @Carol: I wonder if it could be turned into art studios.

    @Grace: it's been kept in good shape over the years.

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  16. The building appears to be in good shape. It looks pretty in the snow.

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  17. Nice great mill building. Waiting to be reused. Nice reportage. I like that.

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  18. looks very icy ... after my recent fall ... i must admit i am kind of freakin' out of over ice ... i stay away. makes me nervous. gorgeous shots with the snow ... i think that always makes things look so pretty. happy weekend!! thanks for your visits William ... take care. ( ;

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  19. It looks very majestic with blue skies overhead and surrounded by snow - it would be good if it was converted into interesting living accommodation.

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  20. It looks like the building could be used for a lot of different things - too bad it's not. I love the brick.

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  21. Very cool building...looks almost like a prison in a couple of those shots.

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  22. Don't you sort of wish many more of these small mills were still in business?

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  23. @Lois: it holds up well to the elements. I wonder what it's like inside.

    @S.C: time will tell if it sees some new use.

    @Beth: the roadway on that day was quite slick with ice. I took my time walking!

    @Rosemary: it was a very pleasant day, in terms of sunny skies.

    @Susie: it's a place with a lot of character.

    @Jenn: yes, some of the barred windows have that effect.

    @Revrunner: there's an old mill in a part of the city I haven't been to in quite some time that still makes flour. Another old mill close to here ended up converted into a restaurant.

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  24. Lovely views of the old mill. It's a beautiful building with lots of character. Very nice, William!

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  25. There's an old mill near here but it's not as big. Plus it rarely sees snow. Nice pics.

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  26. Trust me, the mill in Gray, Iowa was nowhere near that size. Of course, it wasn't a carbide mill either. It makes you wonder how many were employed there.

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  27. Beautiful photos! When I lived in Ottawa, the Old Mill was one of my favourite places.

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  28. What a grand old building. It looks very nice framed by the winter snow.

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  29. Oh, those blue skies set off that snow and fabulous building so well.

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  30. Lovely old mill. The first photo is my favorite.

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  31. Still a great looking old place. History! Your photos are really good William.

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  32. Great photos of an impressive mill.

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  33. @Bill: thank you!

    @Eve: thanks!

    @Mari: a small estimate might be three dozen, but it's probably more.

    @Joyful: this is quite a spot to come visit.

    @Kay: it does!

    @Jennifer: definitely.

    @Jeanie: absolutely.

    @Orvokki: thanks!

    @Pat: thank you.

    @Linda: it is, yes.

    @Klara: thank you.

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