Step inside this 125-year-old brick mill in Yorkton, restored thanks to volunteers

CBC's virtual road trip series Land of Living Stories explores the hidden gems across Saskatchewan. Reporter Janani Whitfield hit the road to Yorkton in search of inspiring stories of community spirit. This is the first of a three-part series from that community.

If you're travelling past the Brick Flour Mill in Yorkton, Sask., you could be forgiven for wondering how the structure is still standing. The more-than-a-century-old brick mill stands out among the new construction and industry buildings around it, a testament to the work of a group of impassioned volunteers.

David Harris' family history in the area goes back to the late 1800s. His grandparents brought wheat to the mill to be turned into flour.

When the city contemplated knocking the building down around 15 years ago, Harris's mother was among those who rallied to keep it.

"Our family was kind of historians, so we always thought it was nice to preserve this building [rather] than tear it down," Harris said.

His mother was part of a group that would take ownership of the building from the city, and begin the process of fixing up broken windows and the eroding roof, as well as other less-glamorous tasks like clearing out decades of pigeon dung.

Thom Weir from the Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society said restoring and expanding the mill hasn't always been a smooth road.

"We've had people that have written letters about the waste of money. They think it's the city money and [ask] 'what are they doing, these crazy people?'" he said.

Between fundraising and support from local businesses, the Yorkton Tribal Council, and city and government grants, the society has raised about $2.5 million of its total $3.3 million total goal.

"We've had a lot that have supported us very, very well. They're very passionate about it," Weir said.

The volunteers see it as unfortunate that Canadians travel to other countries to see historical buildings, while historic buildings in their own country often aren't maintained.

"We've got a habit of pushing them down and burying them," Weir said.

Stories in every storey 

The mill first opened in the 1890s and operated for nearly a century before falling into disrepair. It stayed that way until society volunteers stepped in and restored the building to the point where tours could begin in 2022.

Each of the mill's floors features original machinery and shafts, and the group hopes to finish building an adjacent interpretative/events centre that will include a hands-on display for touring groups and visitors.

Weir and Harris have lived and breathed stories about the mill for years. While walking through, they share their excitement over tales like the mill worker whose shirt got tangled up in the main drive shaft and ended up stripped of his clothes on the floor. 

Many of the stories have come from visitors sharing their recollections of this old mill, a nostalgia stoked by history.

It's all fuel for Weir, whose passion for the land and agriculture seems boundless.

"It's the reason we're all here.… It's where civilization starts," he said.

The building is a window to the past and also bears witness to Yorkton's continued presence as a major agricultural centre, according to Weir.

"I want to tell the story of farmers and the good job that they're doing producing the grain to feed everybody."