John Iwan Hartig

Morningstar Mill John Iwan Hartig

The Morningstar gristmill was built in 1872 to process wheat, oats, barley and rye. It is located above the Decew Falls at 2710 Decew Road in St. Catharines. There are two main structures noticeable off the road: the red building which is the maintenance building and the beige stone gristmill itself. There's a little park for picnicking before you get to the gristmill. The property also has a turbine shed, the miller's house in the back, the ice-house, the sawmill and the barn. There's a blacksmith's shop in the barn. It should be noted that the gristmill and the miller's house are heritage sites. "Friends of Morningstar Mill" are volunteers that keep the grounds and the gristmill operating for tourists and school groups. These volunteers started reconstruction of the gristmill in the year 2000. Now the mill is the only water powered gristmill in the entire Niagara Peninsula. The mill is officially open May 1 until the Thanksgiving weekend. School tours can be arranged for a Tuesday or Thursday, by phoning Gary Konkle 905-384-2530. Wedding photography can also be arranged by phoning "The Recreation and Community Services Office of St. Catharines" at 905-688-5601 ext. 1925