Small
The village of Appleton is a small community nestled on the shores of the Mississippi River in Ramsay Township, Ontario. In 1998 the village became part of the amalgamated Town of Mississippi Mills, making it essential for the community to preserve its local history and heritage.
This exhibit examines the history of Appleton by focusing on the original economic nucleus of the village: the mills. During the settlement of Ramsay Township in the early 1820s, the natural falls of the Mississippi River at Appleton provided an opportunity for a community to grow using water power. An entrepreneurial family, the Teskeys, harnessed the river’s water power, building a sawmill and a gristmill at the falls. Providing lumber, flour and livestock feed, the two mills were the heart of the village. A blacksmith, a cobbler, two churches and general store were among several small businesses to open near the mills.
In 1862, the Teskey family built a woollen mill that became the village’s main industry for 130 years. The woollen mill changed hands several times passing from the Teskey family to the Caldwell family and finally to the Collie family. At its peak the woollen mills employed over 200 people and operated 24 hours a day.
Appleton has changed over the years losing the majority of its businesses and morphing into a charming residential retreat. The sawmill and gristmill have disappeared completely while the woollen mills have been reduced to decaying ruins and a charred field.
This exhibit is a chance to remember Appleton’s past and introduce visitors to our charming community.
