Watson’s Mill in Manotika and Its Implications for Economic Development Essay

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Introduction

Watson’s Mill is a 19th century gristmill, located in the village of Manotick, Ottawa. The fact that this gristmill started flour production in 1860 is a fascinating in itself, contributing to the inclusion of the mill as a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. Apart from the technology of grinding grain that mostly remained unchanged and the architectural significance, the mill is also surrounded by tragic stories and no less tragic myths. In that regard this report provides an overview of the site, based on evidences gathered on sit and a review of corresponding information from external secondary sources.

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Description

The mill is located in the town of Manotick, 20 km south of Ottawa (City of Ottawa). The mill is situated on the banks of the Rideau River, seen from the outside as four-floor building, which is seen as a three-floor from the entrance. The industrial feel, rather than residential feel of the building can be seen through its narrow width in its rectangular shape. The overall grey-brown tone of the mill can be explained through the usage of the unornamented stones in its construction. The building reflects symmetry in all of its aspects, starting from the original roof and including the positioning of its windows.

Technology

The technology of grinding grains in the mill mostly remained unchanged, where the wheat of the grain is milled using the mill stones. The common element changed in the mills was the way they were powered. Watson’s mill can be seen as a classical mill design, in which the mill was powered through water. Nevertheless, Watson’s mill did not use water wheel, where being situated on a river bank, the water flowing under the mill powers the turbines, which in turn drives the driveshaft turning the mill stones, the belts, and the scoops operating between floors. Being antique machinery, the method of operating Watson’s Mill was a cutting-edge technology at the time.

The latter can be specifically seen through the usage of six turbines to power the mill, which was more powerful in delivery, regulable, and what is most important, they were still operable in winter as they did not freeze. The regulation of the turbines power is conducted through a horizontal wheel next to the millstones, where turning the wheel regulates the gates underneath the mill. The higher the gates, the more water flows through the turbines, and accordingly, the more power they produce and vice versa.

The milling process consists of several stages, which can be represented through various operations on a different floor. The most intermediate operations occur at the ground floor, where the wheat is delivered. The operations include weighing the wheat, feeding the wheat to the hopper that starts the milling process, and the process in which the sifted flour is put in bags, ready to be taken and delivered. Additionally, it is on the first floor, where the main operation of grist mills is taking place, i.e. grinding between the mills stones. Other operations on other floors include the process of sifting on the second floor, cooling and storage, where the movement between these operations is performed through the aforementioned scoops that act as elevators between the storeys.

Historical Origins and Context

The mill was built at the end of 1859, early 1960, by Moss Dickinson, who was credited with naming the location of the west channel of the Rideau River as Manotick, and his partner Joseph Currier, businessman, and a widow at the time. The mill was called as the Long Island Flouring Mills. The construction itself was contracted, where the contribution of Dickinson and Currier can be seen in obtaining the water rights and the technology they used in the mill.

The story and the myths associated with the mill are also of significance to its history, where soon after the mill was opened, Currier married Anne Elizabeth Crosby, a young woman whom he met in 1960(Watson’s Mill). After returning for the honeymoon trip, Currier wanted to show his bride the mill, which at the time was celebrating its first anniversary. An accident took place, where the dress of Anne being caught up in the machinery, caused her instant death, being flung against a support post.

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Soon after the accident, Currier sold his share in the mill and left the town, and since then various reports of a ghostly sightings of a woman in a dress have been contributing to the popularity of the mill (Watson). The Dickinsons sold the mill in 1929 to Aleck Spratt, and then it was resold in 1946 to Harry Watson, a former worker in the mill and the one whose name the mill carries until now.

The context of the mill is mostly economical, being the center around which the town of Manotick was built. The significance of the Watson’s Mill in particular and the mills in general is that they were behind the driving forces of starting the local economy (DUSEN). Largely serving the local farmers, the mill was the place for them to turn their grain into a product they could sell or exchange. Accordingly, it can be stated that Watson’s Mill contributed to that the needs of the farmers, such as a place to eat, sleep, repair equipment, etc, led to the formation of an economic community, providing the basis for the town’s social development as well as economical (DUSEN).

Evaluation and Conclusion

It can be stated that the representation of the mill as a historical and technological artefact is justified. It is currently that the foundation of the town of Manotick is taken for granted as well as the modern technology of grinding wheat. Nevertheless, it can be seen how the significance of agriculture shaped the formation of communities, using such an important element as grist mills.

Additionally, the mills were among the first tools in which different powering methods were applied throughout history, starting from wind and water power, and including steam and the most recent usage of electricity and different types of fuels. In terms of historic significance, the mill although still operational, kept its initial architectural design of that time, a fact that adds up to its significance, not only from an economic and social aspect, but also from architectural, preserving its 19th century style.

It can be concluded that Watson’s Mill is an important historical artefact, not only in the Ottawa area, but in Canada in general. In that regard, it can be stated that Watson’s Mill significance goes beyond the architecture or the technology used. The significance can be seen in its position as a center, around which a community was built, an attribute that extends to all mills in general.

Works Cited

City of Ottawa “Watson’s Mill”. 2010. City of Ottawa. Web.

DUSEN, TOM VAN. “Structures Like Watson’s Mill Made Their Stamp on Canada, Now Canada Is Putting the Mill on a Stamp in 2010”. 2010. Sun Media. Web.

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Watson’s Mill. “History of the Mill”. 2010. Watson’s Mill. Web.

Watson, Ken. “The Ghost of Watson’s Mill”. 2010. Rideau Tale’s. Web.

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IvyPanda. (2021, December 23). Watson’s Mill in Manotika and Its Implications for Economic Development. https://ivypanda.com/essays/watsons-mill-in-manotika-and-its-implications-for-economic-development/

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"Watson’s Mill in Manotika and Its Implications for Economic Development." IvyPanda, 23 Dec. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/watsons-mill-in-manotika-and-its-implications-for-economic-development/.

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IvyPanda. (2021) 'Watson’s Mill in Manotika and Its Implications for Economic Development'. 23 December.

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IvyPanda. 2021. "Watson’s Mill in Manotika and Its Implications for Economic Development." December 23, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/watsons-mill-in-manotika-and-its-implications-for-economic-development/.

1. IvyPanda. "Watson’s Mill in Manotika and Its Implications for Economic Development." December 23, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/watsons-mill-in-manotika-and-its-implications-for-economic-development/.


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IvyPanda. "Watson’s Mill in Manotika and Its Implications for Economic Development." December 23, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/watsons-mill-in-manotika-and-its-implications-for-economic-development/.

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