May 2025
In small historic villages and towns like Williamsford, Ontario, gristmills were an essential element in the community. Since the early days of British North America, many towns and villages sprung up around rivers, where water-powered mills were built so that local farmers could easily transport their grain there to be milled. These communities were dependent on their local mill as bread was a staple part of the diet.
While many of these mills, usually constructed out of wood, on a stone foundation, have been demolished as the villages and towns grew and no longer needed the mills, some have been saved and repurposed for a variety of functions.
The former Elliot’s Mill in Williamsford, built by Adam Scott Elliot back in the 1850, is one such mill that has been given a second life. Also known as Williamsford Mill, it was one of four grist mills Elliot built in the area, with the others being McClure’s Mill in Chesley, Hemstock grist mill and Ramage’s grist mill in Strathaven.
Since July 2010, the former mill has been known as Great Books & Cafe. In addition to the stacks and stacks of books for sale, visitors can enjoy a selection of sandwiches, soups, burgers, sweets and fresh baked goods for desert and an all-day breakfast menu.
Great Books originally opened in 1977 as Great Northwest Book Company on Jarvis Street in Toronto. Over the next three decades, the bookstore moved to new locations in Kleinburg, Bolton, and Newmarket, prior to its arrival in Williamsford. Owners Peter and Tamara Bolton bought the old mill in 2006 and after four years, completely renovated and restoring it to its former glory.
At 175 years old, Williamsford Mill is one of the oldest mills still standing in Ontario. Customers can relax with a book, a coffee and a butter tart, in one of the reading areas inside the mill, or in the good weather, outside on the small patio that sits along the North Saugeen River.
An interesting story about the old mill, as told by Peter and Tamara:
“One of our special customers came in recently to tell us how much trouble he got into back in 1937 as a young boy when he painted on one of the mill’s wooden posts, which is still present in the main dining room! Come visit us at the Mill to see if you can find it!“
Sources: https://www.greatbooks.ca/, https://themeafordindependent.ca/3074-williamsford-where-prohibition-never-happened/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gristmill#Modern_mills, https://www.williamsfordpiecompany.ca/history.
