- Joined
- Apr 24, 2010
- Messages
- 13,017
- Reaction score
- 28,144
- Golden Thread
- 1
- Location
- Upper Canada 🇨🇦
- 🥇 Banner finds
- 1
- Detector(s) used
- XP Deus, Lesche Piranha 35 Shovel & 'Garrett Carrot'
- Primary Interest:
- Relic Hunting
This home site was situated opposite the old Empire Woolen Mills, which ceased operations in 1887. I hunted this site over two days this past weekend.
As the largest mill in the region, Empire utilized the Oshawa Creek for its power. Established in 1835 by George Mathewson and Robert Ratcliffe, it was sold to the Empire Mills Company in 1850. The enterprise employed as many as 50 workers, many recruited from Lancashire and Yorkshire in England, who resided in boarding houses or small cottages. The presence of the mill led to the formation of a distinct community known as Empire Mills. At its peak, the area featured a church, store, school, and wooden sidewalks. By 1883, the community had implemented an electrical lighting system powered by the mill dam, possibly the first of its kind locally. The mill itself was four stories tall. In 1860, a severe fire resulted in the complete destruction of its buildings, with losses estimated at $20,000.
The business relocated in 1887 following the construction of a major railway near Markham ON. Subsequently, a flood in 1890 destroyed the mill’s dam, leading to the abandonment of the village of Empire Mills. The sole remaining structure, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, was unfortunately lost to fire in the early 1920s. Included are before-and-after photographs of the coins discovered at the site. The iron ‘wishbone’ relic remains unidentified, and any information regarding its origin would be appreciated.
Thank you for your consideration,
Dave
As the largest mill in the region, Empire utilized the Oshawa Creek for its power. Established in 1835 by George Mathewson and Robert Ratcliffe, it was sold to the Empire Mills Company in 1850. The enterprise employed as many as 50 workers, many recruited from Lancashire and Yorkshire in England, who resided in boarding houses or small cottages. The presence of the mill led to the formation of a distinct community known as Empire Mills. At its peak, the area featured a church, store, school, and wooden sidewalks. By 1883, the community had implemented an electrical lighting system powered by the mill dam, possibly the first of its kind locally. The mill itself was four stories tall. In 1860, a severe fire resulted in the complete destruction of its buildings, with losses estimated at $20,000.
The business relocated in 1887 following the construction of a major railway near Markham ON. Subsequently, a flood in 1890 destroyed the mill’s dam, leading to the abandonment of the village of Empire Mills. The sole remaining structure, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, was unfortunately lost to fire in the early 1920s. Included are before-and-after photographs of the coins discovered at the site. The iron ‘wishbone’ relic remains unidentified, and any information regarding its origin would be appreciated.
Thank you for your consideration,
Dave
Upvote
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what you call detecting!
