Ontario Road Trip: Welbeck Mennonite Shingle Mill
- Lyn (aka Jazz)
- Apr 28
- 2 min read
Bentinck, Ontario
Leaving the Bruce Peninsula, I was slowly making my way to Niagara Falls, where I would meet up with two friends. I still had several days and no particular plan or route in mind, as is typical for me when I'm road tripping. While driving south along Highway 6, I saw a sign advertising the Welbeck Mennonite Shingle Mill. I was totally intrigued and decided that this would be a great little stop along my route. I followed the signs from Owen Sound for about a 30-minute drive to arrive at this charming water mill in the Township of Bentinck.
The original water mill, built in the late 1800s, provided milling services for a wide range of lumber needs, including planks, siding, and shingles. Over the years, multiple fires and economic downturns caused many changes in the sawmill's fortunes. Still, the mill and the business survived all difficulties until November 1966, when a fire completely destroyed the water-powered mill.
The following year, federal funding for Canada's Centennial celebrations was used to construct a new mill using both diesel and electric power. In 1984, the water-powered Shingle Mill was restored.
Today, the Shingle Mill continues to produce Ontario White Cedar shingles and offers tours and educational trips for visitors. No one was around the day I visited to give me a tour or fill in details, so I wandered freely. The Mill is free to visit — perfect for budget travellers.
I love discovering lesser-known places to explore by following road signs to some lovely local museums, parks, or historical sites. What little gems have you found by just following road signs? Do you have any tips to share?
If you enjoy the content and would like to be updated with new posts, become a member/subscribe (it's free!) or follow along on the RamblynJazz Facebook page, Facebook Group, BlueSky, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. You can help the blog grow by sharing the link with a travelling friend or through social media. I truly appreciate your comments and encourage you to share your thoughts below.
If you are interested in purchasing high-resolution copies of the photos in this post, contact me at ramblynjazz@gmail.com
Comments