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The Grist Mill at Keremeos is the last surviving flour mill from pioneer times in British Columbia. The Mill has had an interesting history that has brought it back as a working mill with much of its original machinery intact.
Built beside the Keremeos Creek in the Similkameen Valley of British Columbia in 1877 by Barrington Price, the Mill is a prime example of pioneer industrial technology. The building was constructed of hand-squared pine logs utilizing dovetail joinery. Wooden machinery components were locally made while grinding equipment was sourced from Britain (Barford-Perkins), Canada (Waterous) and the United States (James Jones New Process).
The history of the Grist Mill at Keremeos is described from its construction, its waterworks, its machinery and its companion general store / residence. The Mill had a working-life to 1895 then had multiple uses as a barn, chicken coop and an artist studio. The General Store / Residence was a store while the Mill was in operation, and then became a residence having several additions added over time.
The South Similkameen Museum Society was instrumental in having the Mill site designated a Provincial heritage site in 1977, then having the province purchase the site in 1979. The Mill was restored, a project lead by Cuyler Page to its 1881 working configuration. The Heritage Trust operated the site as heritage interpretive site until Devolution in 2003. Devolution lead to a decline of the site and the building were closed to the public in 2008. Millar Group Heritage Enterprises gained the contract to care for the site and re-opened it in 2009. Millar Group has operated the site through 2012.
