Our Beloved Backus Mill - Neglected but not forgotten

For many generations the Backus (Grist) Mill has been a monumental landmark in Norfolk County.  Built in 1798 it stands tall and proud as a representation of everything that has made not only Norfolk County but Canada what it is today.  It reminds us of the sense of community, the dedication, and the triumphs of our early settlers to the area and gives us all a tremendous amount of pride. 

Backus Mill’s claim to fame is that it is one of the only mills to have survived the War of 1812.  During the war many mills were burned as they were extremely flammable and it would cut off a major food source for the soldiers, farmers and villagers who were trying to protect their freedoms and way of life.   The Backus Mill was a very important factor in keeping what we now know as Norfolk intact and flourishing and is a very important part of our Canadian Heritage.   The Backus Homestead is the site of one of the largest annual reenactments of the War of 1812 which reminds us that all residents of our beautiful county, including Farmers, Businessmen and our Native Community fought for what was rightfully ours and stood as tall as the Mill in victory.

Norfolk was built by farmers and their families throughout the years and farming remains the primary source of income for many families in the area to this day.   From Fruit, Tobacco, Grains, Legumes and Vegetables, Norfolk farmers have worked hard to be leading Canadian producers of many products that we all consume today.  Many of these same farmers’ parents, grandparents and great grandparents relied on the Backus Mill to grind their grain and feed their families.  Farmers still hold their community dear to their hearts and it is exceedingly apparent as a resident of Norfolk.  There seems to be an endless supply of vegetables, information on crops, farm equipment, insights and frustrations shared back and forth between neighbours.  It is for this reason that Norfolk and other farming communities will forever be of historical significance.

The Backus Mill is now sitting in a state of disrepair due to what we can only refer to as neglect because the Long Point Regional Conservation Authority seems to have forgotten the significance of this historic site.   In an article in the Port Rowan Good News  Cliff Evanitski, General Manager for LPRCA, was quoted as follows when talking about the state of the mill; “the focal point of the [Backus] village”. “It [cost of repairs] could run to six figures and it wouldn’t surprise me if it was more”.   Chair of the LPRCA, Roger Geysens was quoted saying, in reference to the repairs of the Mill; “won’t be cheap”. “Major fundraising will be needed to try and fix the mill”. Mayor Travale was also quoted as saying; “We’ve reached out to the Provincial and Federal Governments to see how they might contribute”.  My first reaction to this was “We must help save the mill, where’s my cheque book”?   Then it dawned on me….. What happened to the $5.25 Million Dollars from the sale of our beloved Backus Woods?

http://www.simcoereformer.ca/2013/10/10/major-fundraising-campaign-planned-for-backus-mill

Is the LPRCA saying that they don’t have any left, or that it is simply still invested for future use?  What better future use is there than reviving the most historically significant piece of property that they own?   After seeing the extravagant salaries we can understand where some of the money has gone.   Does the LPRCA only care about plants, bugs, animals and themselves?  Dare we ask the next question: Is this just going to be an excuse to sell our National Heritage Site to the Nature Conservancy of Canada?

We have not decided how to handle this situation, but what we do know is that Norfolk is a community with a history of perseverance and we can’t let the Backus Mill become a “once was”.   We want answers from the LPRCA and want to know, what they intend to do with the mill?  Please do not let the LPRCA sell off or continue to neglect the Backus Mill.  Start asking questions of your own, start talking to your neighbours and make a stand for the future of Norfolk’s history.

Backhouse Grist Mill National Historic Site of Canada

Construction Date : 1798/01/01

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lxdesign/3715537514/in/set-72157604234545704