Grist Mill (Keremeos) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grist Mill and Gardens Historic Site |
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| Type | Historic Site |
| Location | 2691 Upper Bench Rd Keremeos, British Columbia V0X1N4 |
| Area | 12 acres (4.9 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,400 feet (430 m) |
| Built | 1877 |
| Built for | Barrington Price |
| Restored | 1984 |
| Restored by | BC Heritage Trust |
| Current use | Historic Site |
| Visitors | 14,000 (in 2019) |
| Governing body | Grist Mill Operations Society |
| Owner | Government of British Columbia |
| Website | oldgristmill.ca |
The Grist Mill and Gardens Historic Site is a special place located in the beautiful Similkameen River Valley. It's close to the small Village of Keremeos in British Columbia, Canada. This site is owned by the government of British Columbia and is a protected heritage area.
You can find the Grist Mill just north of where the Crowsnest Highway meets Highway 3A. It's a great spot to learn about history!
What is a Grist Mill?
A grist mill is a building where grain, like wheat or corn, is ground into flour or meal. The Grist Mill at this site was built way back in 1877. It uses a large waterwheel to power its machinery, which is still working today!
Buildings at the Site
Besides the main grist mill building, there are other interesting structures to explore:
- An old-fashioned general store where people used to buy everything they needed.
- A historic house that was once a residence.
- An apple house/root cellar used to store fruits and vegetables, keeping them cool and fresh.
There are also some newer buildings and copies of old ones that help visitors understand what life was like long ago.
Why is it Important?
The Grist Mill and Gardens Historic Site helps us remember how people lived and worked in the past. It shows us how important mills were for making food. It also teaches us about the early days of settlement in British Columbia.
The site was restored in 1984 by the BC Heritage Trust. This means they fixed it up carefully to make sure it looks like it did when it was first built. Today, the Grist Mill Operations Society helps manage and care for this important piece of history. About 14,000 people visited in 2019 to see this amazing place.
