The mills of Hammonds Plains played an important role in the area's history from the early 1800s to the mid-1900s. Originally, lumbering and the transportation of logs to Halifax via rivers was the main economic activity. Over time, numerous small mills were established powered by local water sources. In the late 1800s, mills produced lumber and goods like barrels. By the early 1900s, over 18 mills operated in Hammonds Plains. Families like Hays, Moran, and Wright established large mills employing many. As technology advanced, the industry declined after World War 2 due to less emphasis on wood. The last mills closed in the 1990s, marking the end of an era defined by over 200 years of mill operation
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Sawmills in Hammonds Plains
1. A History of theA History of the MillsMills ofof
Hammonds PlainsHammonds Plains
A Presentation by the HammondsA Presentation by the Hammonds
Plains Historical SocietyPlains Historical Society
April 21, 2016April 21, 2016
2. OriginalOriginal HP Land Grant of 1786HP Land Grant of 1786
was attractive because of the firstwas attractive because of the first
generation forest growthgeneration forest growth
3. Lumbering was the first PRIORTYLumbering was the first PRIORTY
of the original grantees – ahead ofof the original grantees – ahead of
settlement of the new landssettlement of the new lands
4. ‘‘The Kings Wood’ – AreaThe Kings Wood’ – Area
reserved by the King for ship’sreserved by the King for ship’s
MastsMasts
5. Early Years - Logs were transportedEarly Years - Logs were transported
to Halifax Dockyards forto Halifax Dockyards for
shipbuilding and paper making viashipbuilding and paper making via
Nine Mile River - Bedford BasinNine Mile River - Bedford Basin
6. First Mills in Area – Early 1800’sFirst Mills in Area – Early 1800’s
Nine Mill River /Piers Mills Area –Nine Mill River /Piers Mills Area –
river was used to float logs to Bedfordriver was used to float logs to Bedford
Basin.Basin.
Christian Schmidt built a saw millChristian Schmidt built a saw mill
along Nine Mill River in 1805along Nine Mill River in 1805
Anthony Holland set up mill nearAnthony Holland set up mill near
Paper Mill Lake in 1813, which he usedPaper Mill Lake in 1813, which he used
to make paper.to make paper.
7. Early 1800’s - Immigrants bringEarly 1800’s - Immigrants bring
Cooper Skills to Hammonds Plains –Cooper Skills to Hammonds Plains –
Chester Group / Chesapeake BlacksChester Group / Chesapeake Blacks
8. First Mill in Hammonds Plains –First Mill in Hammonds Plains –
1816-18? – John English Mill1816-18? – John English Mill
9. Jacob Shaffer – Pioneer ofJacob Shaffer – Pioneer of
Lumbering in H PLumbering in H P
Believed to have lived in Piers Mills.Believed to have lived in Piers Mills.
Petition for land in 1823 at foot ofPetition for land in 1823 at foot of
Pockwock Lake.Pockwock Lake.
Built a large mill on Pockwock LakeBuilt a large mill on Pockwock Lake
Partners – Wright, Lunn and LeighteizerPartners – Wright, Lunn and Leighteizer
(received 950 acres).(received 950 acres).
Mill was moved to the Pockwock RiverMill was moved to the Pockwock River
Falls area after John Wright became soleFalls area after John Wright became sole
owner.owner.
10. By 1830, Pockwock/Kemptown AreaBy 1830, Pockwock/Kemptown Area
becomes main lumbering area of HPbecomes main lumbering area of HP
– Jacob Shaffer prominent leader– Jacob Shaffer prominent leader
11. The Hays FamilyThe Hays Family
In 1838, the Hays Family (Wesley Hays) buys 500In 1838, the Hays Family (Wesley Hays) buys 500
acres from Jacob Shaffer and re-establishes mill atacres from Jacob Shaffer and re-establishes mill at
foot of Pockwock Lake.foot of Pockwock Lake.
Created a large mill. In 1860’s sons Norman andCreated a large mill. In 1860’s sons Norman and
Johnathan build a modern two story mill.Johnathan build a modern two story mill.
The second story was used to cut barrel staves.The second story was used to cut barrel staves.
The barrel pieces were hauled to Bedford BasinThe barrel pieces were hauled to Bedford Basin
where the Hays family had Cooper Shop.where the Hays family had Cooper Shop.
By 1870’s, the Hays brothers had a lucrativeBy 1870’s, the Hays brothers had a lucrative
business, installing modern machinery andbusiness, installing modern machinery and
employing up to 50 people.employing up to 50 people.
12. 1890’s - Hays brothers sell mill to1890’s - Hays brothers sell mill to
Lindsay Moran and HenryLindsay Moran and Henry
HaverstockHaverstock
13. John WrightJohn Wright
Moves the original Shaffer Mill toMoves the original Shaffer Mill to
Pockwock River Falls and then to Wright’sPockwock River Falls and then to Wright’s
Lake.Lake.
Believed to be the first mill in H P to use aBelieved to be the first mill in H P to use a
cylinder saw (sawing barrel staves).cylinder saw (sawing barrel staves).
Mill was powered by Wright’s Big OvershotMill was powered by Wright’s Big Overshot
Wheel.Wheel.
Mill was in operation until 1960’s.Mill was in operation until 1960’s.
16. Kemptown Mills – 1800’sKemptown Mills – 1800’s
Mills built in 1860’s by Melvin (between BigMills built in 1860’s by Melvin (between Big
Indian Lake and Rafter’s Lake). Their millIndian Lake and Rafter’s Lake). Their mill
had a gang saw that could saw 12 boards athad a gang saw that could saw 12 boards at
one time.one time.
Dean’s MillDean’s Mill
Little’s MillLittle’s Mill
Davidson Mill – Largest in area. FloatedDavidson Mill – Largest in area. Floated
lumber down Ingram River – hauled on twolumber down Ingram River – hauled on two
wheeled carts to Halifax Marketwheeled carts to Halifax Market
17. Lower Hammonds Plains Mills –Lower Hammonds Plains Mills –
1800’s1800’s
Henry Schmidt – Steam Mill behind BloomHenry Schmidt – Steam Mill behind Bloom
Nursey area (burnt down in 1902)Nursey area (burnt down in 1902)
Melvin - Bezanson Mill (Near where KynockMelvin - Bezanson Mill (Near where Kynock
Resources is to-day)Resources is to-day)
English / Mason / Melvin Mill (On Mason’sEnglish / Mason / Melvin Mill (On Mason’s
Pond)Pond)
Mill near English Corner?Mill near English Corner?
At Baptizing Lake?At Baptizing Lake?
MacQuade’s Lake?MacQuade’s Lake?
18. Upper Hammonds Plains MillsUpper Hammonds Plains Mills
A couple of small mills on Lizard LakeA couple of small mills on Lizard Lake
Deal Whiley Mill – built in 1888Deal Whiley Mill – built in 1888
Mill off Anderson RoadMill off Anderson Road
19.
20. 1851 Census1851 Census
Lists 7 Mills in Hammonds Plains AreaLists 7 Mills in Hammonds Plains Area
21. During the second half of the 1800’sDuring the second half of the 1800’s
HP area becomes recognized for it’sHP area becomes recognized for it’s
second generation growth timbersecond generation growth timber
22. Mills begin to create secondary woodMills begin to create secondary wood
products – Barrels, Staves, houseproducts – Barrels, Staves, house
planks, fish box materials, appleplanks, fish box materials, apple
boxesboxes
23. By 1880’s HP becomes a communityBy 1880’s HP becomes a community
of small mills and cooper shopsof small mills and cooper shops
The Hammonds Plains Road of the 1890’sThe Hammonds Plains Road of the 1890’s
24. Early Mills built by water – neededEarly Mills built by water – needed
for powerfor power
25. Water Power – 1880’sWater Power – 1880’s
Had different types of wheels to run mill,Had different types of wheels to run mill,
depending upon the head of the waterdepending upon the head of the water
availableavailable..
Overshot Wheel (water fell in buckets) wasOvershot Wheel (water fell in buckets) was
use for water falling from above.use for water falling from above.
Breast Wheel was used where there was noBreast Wheel was used where there was no
height of water, but great volume.height of water, but great volume.
Undershot wheel was used for water flowingUndershot wheel was used for water flowing
in a straight line.in a straight line.
A tub wheel was used where space was anA tub wheel was used where space was an
issue.issue.
26. Water Power – 1880’sWater Power – 1880’s
All types of wheels were used in the mills ofAll types of wheels were used in the mills of
Hammonds Plains.Hammonds Plains.
A box was built 3-4 meters from wheel toA box was built 3-4 meters from wheel to
channel water and give pressure (called thechannel water and give pressure (called the
flume).flume).
A gate was used to lift up and down (calledA gate was used to lift up and down (called
the Stanpike) to control the flow of water.the Stanpike) to control the flow of water.
27. The Water Wheels – Overshot &The Water Wheels – Overshot &
Breast WheelBreast Wheel
29. Saws in the first mills were VerticalSaws in the first mills were Vertical
SawsSaws
30. Circular Saws were introduced inCircular Saws were introduced in
the late 1800’sthe late 1800’s
31. Pulley SystemPulley System
Mills used pulley system to run mill. It wasMills used pulley system to run mill. It was
connected to water system. Quite an art toconnected to water system. Quite an art to
connect all the pulleys together.connect all the pulleys together.
32. Turbines were introduced toTurbines were introduced to
power larger mills in 1890’spower larger mills in 1890’s
33. Mills started to be developed alongMills started to be developed along
the main road – 1890’sthe main road – 1890’s
35. 1890’s – Hays Brothers sell their1890’s – Hays Brothers sell their
Pockwock Mills to Moran andPockwock Mills to Moran and
Haverstock FamiliesHaverstock Families
36. There were many mills in the areaThere were many mills in the area
during the early 1900’s – the golden eraduring the early 1900’s – the golden era
37. 1923 Map - 18 mills in H P Area1923 Map - 18 mills in H P Area
38. The Larger Mills had LumberThe Larger Mills had Lumber
CampsCamps
43. 1930’s1930’s
Electricity comes to Hammonds PlainsElectricity comes to Hammonds Plains
Trucks started to be used for transportationTrucks started to be used for transportation
44. To Market – The Old WayTo Market – The Old Way
45. To Market – The New WayTo Market – The New Way
47. The lumbering industry startedThe lumbering industry started
to decline in the 1940’s as postto decline in the 1940’s as post
World War 2 advancements metWorld War 2 advancements met
less emphasis on wood productsless emphasis on wood products
48. By the 1960’s the lumberingBy the 1960’s the lumbering
industry was becoming a thing of theindustry was becoming a thing of the
past in HPpast in HP
49. Last Cooper ShopLast Cooper Shop
W. G. Haverstock – Late 1970’sW. G. Haverstock – Late 1970’s
50. Last Day to Day Mill OperationLast Day to Day Mill Operation
Whiley Mill – 1990’sWhiley Mill – 1990’s
