6 Friday, December 20, 2024 brooklintowncrier.com During Brooklin's formative years, grain mills were more than just businesses. They were lifelines for the community, processing the grains that sustained residents and local farmers alike. Among these were the Brooklin Flour Mill on Cassels Road East and the Bickel Mill on Way Street. Kent Mills, built around 1854 and once situated at 210 St. Thomas Street, stood out for its wide-ranging connections. This mill and its accompanying house not only served the needs of local farmers, but also supplied markets as distant as Montreal and Glasgow, Scotland. Owned by James Francis and operated by his brother Peter Francis, the mill was a three- storey frame building powered by water. Its location, a short distance south of Winchester Road and near Brooklin Community Park, made it easily accessible. Adding to its significance was the Port Whitby and Port Perry Railway, affectionately known as the "Nip and Tuck," which passed the entrance to the Francis property. This railway connected the mill to wider markets. Advanced equipment Kent Mills was a gristmill specializing in the production of oatmeal and oat flour. Utilizing a process with three run of stones, it also used advanced equipment for the time, including a smutter that cleaned the grain before milling, and a brick-drying kiln. This combination of traditional methods and innovative machinery allowed the mill to produce a considerable quantity of high-quality oatmeal while maintaining a strong reputation for efficiency. In its prime, the mill processed approximately 100 bushels of oats per day and conducted a large amount of "chopping"- a complementary service offered by the mill providing a practical solution for local farmers who relied on the processed grains for their livestock. This flexibility in service made the mill a vital part of the agricultural community. While supplying local markets, its products also found their way to international buyers. The mill also stocked Lindsay's New Process Family flour, a sought-after product of the time. Won awards Kent Mills wasn't just a local business; it was also an award- winning establishment. In 1857 at the First Paris Exhibition, Peter Francis exhibited two barrels of oatmeal and won first prize. Decades later, the mill garnered a medal and diploma at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cementing its reputation for quality and innovation. A reporter for the Whitby Chronicle, Ross Johnson, visited Kent Mills in January 1884, remarking, "The mill has an enviable notoriety and carried off a medal and diploma… Peter, whom we all know so well, is a hardworking fellow sure to do well in the industry." Despite its success, time eventually caught up with the mill. It was demolished in the spring of 1957, and the Francis house followed in 2013 to make way for the construction of Highway 407. Yet the legacy of Kent Mills remains firmly rooted in Brooklin's past. It not only provided vital services to local farmers but also showcased the industrious spirit of the community. Today, the only trace of Kent Mills is a stone and historical plaque at its old location adjacent to the stormwater pond at the south end of Brooklin Memorial Park. Correction In the Dec. 6 Brooklin Heritage Society story about C. S. Thompson, we erroneously printed his name as Charles Samuel. It should have been Clarence Samuel Thompson. We apologize for the error. Kent Mills By Jennifer Hudgins