Description of Historic Place

The East Mill is part of the Wood’s Mill Complex located at Smiths Falls. The complex itself sits on the northern extremity of Ward’s Island adjacent to the waste weir channel of the Rideau Waterway at Smiths Falls. The large, four-storey, stone building has a flat roof, unornamented exterior walls and rows of regular windows. A smaller, two-storey office wing abuts the south façade. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The East Mill is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
The East Mill, as part of a late-nineteenth-century industrial complex, is closely associated with the development of the grain milling industry in eastern Ontario. The East Mill and Wood’s Mill Complex illustrate the evolution and adaptation of grain milling from a local service industry, to one based on the processing of imported western grain and the export of the product. The industrial development of the Smiths Falls area is notable where the shift from reliance on the canal to a reliance on the railway was evident. The East Mill is associated with A.R. Ward, one of the first permanent settlers of the area and founder of the milling complex, and A. Wood, an important local entrepreneur who operated several industrial firms in the area.

Architectural Value
Valued for its good aesthetics, the East Mill exhibits a distinctly industrial character as defined by its evenly spaced fenestration pattern and its functional, flexible interior spaces. The unornamented appearance reflects the utilitarian purpose of the building. Very good craftsmanship and materials can be seen in the stone walls and in the heavy timber frame substructure.

Environmental Value
The East Mill reinforces the commercial character of its industrial complex and streetscape setting at Smiths Falls, and is a familiar landmark in the region.

Sources: James De Jonge, Wood’s Mill Complex, 34 Beckwith Street South, Smiths Falls, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report 88-044; Wood’s Mill Complex, 34 Beckwith Street South, Smiths Falls, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 88-044.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the East Mill should be respected.

Its good aesthetic and good quality craftsmanship and materials, for example: the four-storey massing, the two-storey adjoining addition; the exterior walls of uncoursed limestone blocks; the heavy timber frame substructure; the regular placement of the doors and evenly spaced windows; the interior configuration.

The manner in which the East Mill reinforces the commercial character of its industrial complex and streetscape setting, and is a familiar landmark in the region, as evidenced by: its overall scale, design and materials, which contribute to its commercial streetscape surroundings and complement the industrial complex; its visibility due to its location within the streetscape at the edge of the commercial core and adjacent to a bridge and water channel.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Wood's Mill complex consists of three structures - the West Mill, built as a grain mill in 1852-55; the East Mill, built as a grain mill in 1890-92; the base of a grain elevator also built in 1890-92; and the associated property. Grain milling, first with millstones then with roller machinery, was carried out in the complex from 1852 until it was gradually phased out in the 1930s and the buildings converted to offices and apartments.

The property was purchased by Parks Canada in 1981. Preliminary stabilization of the two mill buildings has been undertaken since then. Environment Canada is custodian of the property. See FHBRO Building Report 88-44.

Reason for Designation

The Wood's Mill complex was designated Recognized because of its important historical associations, its role in the economic development of the area, and the quality and character of its environment. The granary was considered as a part of the East Mill, and is therefore included in the designation.

The property is a very good example of a late-nineteenth-century industrial complex associated with the development and decline of the grain milling industry in eastern Ontario. The three individual buildings which comprise the complex, illustrate the evolution and adaptation of grain milling from a local service industry to one based on the processing of imported western grain and the export of the product. The decline of Wood's Mill complex further illustrates the shift in industrial development away from medium-capacity industries like Woods Mill to concentrated, high volume facilities.

The complex is associated with A.R. Ward, one of the first permanent settlers of the area and founder of the milling complex, and A. Wood, an important local entrepreneur who operated several industrial firms in the area.

The Wood's Mill complex played a key role in the industrial development of the Smiths Falls area. Today, it is one of the largest and most significant of the surviving industrial structures that at one time formed the economic base of Smiths Falls. Specifically, the mill buildings illustrate the shift in the local economy from reliance on the canal to a
reliance on the railway.

As an industry dependent upon water-power, the Wood's Mill complex was sited adjacent to the water course that was its power source. The siting and design of the East Mill was also closely related to the urban-commercial character of Beckwith Street and played an important role both in its streetscape and in defining the edge of the commercial core of Smiths
Falls. Despite some alterations, both aspects of the complex's siting remain clear. The Wood's Mill complex is an important landmark in the area.

Character Defining Elements

The Complex:

The heritage character of the Wood's Mill complex resides in the evolutionary, industrial character of the buildings and their functional, historical and site relationships.

These features are manifested in the form, massing and construction of the two mill buildings and should be protected and retained. The overall unity of the design of the complex has been weakened by alterations and the removal of some of the buildings' key elements such as roofs, cornices, dormers and decorative elements. Reinstatement of these elements should be considered.

Existing points of entry and circulation should be retained.

In its siting, the complex has retained two of the most important elements of its character-adjacency to the waste weir channel and the original courtyard area at the south. A third element, the historical relationship of the east side to grade has been altered but the orientation to Beckwith Street remains. Future development should consider all of these important relationships.

West Mill:

This building was designated Recognized. The heritage character of the West Mill resides in its domestic vernacular form, scale and proportions; and in the surviving elements that relate to its mid- and late-nineteenth century industrial function. These characteristics remain clear on the east elevation but as a result of the removal of dormers and blocking of openings it is less clear elsewhere on the building. Their reinstatement through accurate restoration, if sufficient documentation is available, or through a sympathetic contemporary design would clarify the historic design and function.

The mansard roof was added and numerous details of the building have been altered to accommodate changes in milling technology and access requirements. Most of these alterations have been well-integrated and the original form remains subtly evident. Such evidence of the evolution of the building in response to changing functional requirements should be retained and a similar approach adopted to future minor alterations.

The extant structural system, all evidence of former use as a grain mill, and extant machinery should be protected. Alterations to the interior spatial layout should be fully reversible and non-damaging.

East Mill:

This building was designated Recognized. Its heritage value resides in its distinctly industrial character as defined by its evenly spaced fenestration pattern and its functional, flexible interior spaces. This is further defined by differences of scale and detail found in the office wing.

Like the West Mill, this building has been altered by the unsympathetic removal of roofs and decorative features. The property would be enhanced by their reinstatement. The structural system, interior evidence of former use as a grain mill, and extant machinery should be protected. Any future alterations to the interior spatial layout should be fully reversible and non-damaging. Research indicates that much of the original layout and architectural detailing of the original office survives. Any future intervention should be preceded by adequate investigation and analysis in this area to guide design and minimize the damage and alterations to historic fabric and building components.

Granary:

The remains of the granary are an important contributor to the character of the complex because of its previous functional relationship with the two mill buildings. It also defines the space between the two mills and the courtyard. This structure should be retained and incorporated in any future development.

Its stone walls and the surviving elements of the heavy timber frame of its substructure reflect the same aesthetic and functional qualities as the mills. This building has been heavily, perhaps irreversibly, altered by the removal of the timber superstructure and construction of a pitched roof. Interior alterations are also presumed to have taken place. Circulation from one mill to the other through the ground floor of the granary is a historic pattern. This should be retained.

If additional occupiable space was required on the site, the granary could be restored through reconstruction of the missing upper portion. Any proposal for redevelopment should be of sympathetic, compatible design that draws on historic precedent or the "known" aspects of the granary such as its overall form and materials. All surviving fabric should be carefully protected and incorporated into the new structure and existing relationships maintained.