Group readies to save old mill

The Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society has officially formed and is beginning a concerted effort to save the structure.

Society secretary Sheila Harris said the organization is working "to come up with what we have to have to be self-sustaining," adding that was mandated by Yorkton Council when it gave a group of concerned individuals until October this year to formulate a workable plan to save the mill.

Phase I of the effort has been to contract PCR Corporation to do a study looking at possible ways to utilize the mill.

Murray Miller a history preservation planner will be doing the study "to assess adaptive uses for the Yorkton brick mill," said Harris.

Society president Carol Bolt said they need a plan first, adding "we don't have permission from Council to do anything else."

The study will cost nearly $20,000, and Harris said the Society has applied for a grant through the


Saskatchewan History Foundation. The grant would require the Society to raise matching funds for a total of $25,000. Over the coming weeks there will be fundraising efforts to cover the Society's half.

The Society wants a plan ready for Council in October, and have some concept of where to start funding raising for the project. Society vice-president Vern Brown said they really can't begin corporate fundraising for a project before Council green-lights the plan presented in the fall.

Harris added having a professional plan from someone with specific historic building preservation will be an asset in fundraising when that phase moves forward.

Asked why the Society is making the effort to save the mill, Harris noted "it's a monument to the York Colony (which founded the community)."

The mill certainly has a history mimicking that of the city.

"In 1898-1900 (circa) a flour mill was built on North Front Street, now Livingstone Street by J.J. Smith of bricks from his own brick plant in Yorkton. J.J. Smith operated the mill for only a couple of years. Flour produced in the mill sold under the names "North Star", "Silver King", and "Universal." In 1902 John Smith sold the mill to Levi Beck, known as Yorkton's "Merchant Prince". Levi Beck marketed the flour as "Northern Star", later as "White Rose Flour"," detailed a Society brochure.

As the last brick mill standing in the province it is also locally unique.

"It's historically significant for Saskatchewan and not just Yorkton," offered Bolt.

The mill has also been part of the community identity in the past.

"In 1947, Princess Elizabeth (Queen) and Lt. Philip were married. The City of Yorkton raised the required funds to send the couple a unique gift - a railcar of flour milled in Yorkton. Approximately 10 tons of flour milled at the Yorkton Flour Mill from wheat grown by Yorkton area farmers, was sent to Great Britain with the intention that this wedding gift would help alleviate the food shortages experienced by post-war England," detailed the brochure.

Bolt said the mill could once more be part of that identity.

"Yorkton wants to promote itself as a tourist destination," she said, adding the mill could be a much needed attraction.

"We need more stuff," said Bolt, adding right now the city lacks attractions for tourists.

"If we rip down the mill another one is gone," added Harris.

The Society is in the process of formalized a new website as well. You can find it at www.yorktonbrickmill.org

The Society is making one plea to the public, and that is for photographs, documents and personal memories of the mill which can be used to enhance the website, or potentially be used in a restoration project.

Memberships in the Society are also available at $25 for individuals, $40 for a family, and $100 for corporate.

For more information on the Society, and its efforts, to provide historic material, or for a membership, call 783-0290, or 783-6211.