How an over 140-year-old Ontario mill went from abandoned into a hive of life
Past Caledon's rolling hills lies a large, long stone-walled structure, practically out of a storybook. It's a hidden gem of rural Ontario, offering a glimpse into the region's past and a sign of new beginnings.
Located around an hour's drive from Toronto, the Alton Mill Arts Centre offers a fun weekend escape that seamlessly blends history and art.
The centre is known as an artistic hub for artists and art lovers alike, housing 26 studios where artists can create and sell their work, as well as boutiques and a café.
Given the mill's current purpose, it's challenging to recall what this stone relic was once used for: the Beaver Knitting Mill, an industrial operation constructed by local industrialist William Algie in 1881.
The mill produced fleece-lined long underwear in its early days, which was perfect for the long, cold winters in Caledon, and was reportedly famous across the country as well.
The Dods Knitting Company acquired the mill just after Algie's death in 1915, where it continued to produce undergarments.
The mill closed amid economic strain brought on by the Great Depression before it was acquired by the Western Rubber Company. During its time as a tenant at the mill, Western Rubber manufactured balloons for Disney, as well as rubber gloves and condoms for Canadian soldiers during World War II.
The Western Rubber Company produced a wide range of rubber products, including balloons for Disney. Photo: Region of Peel Archives
The Western Rubber Company was in operation until 1982 and was the longest-running water-powered mill on the upper Credit River system.
The mill remained vacant until 1988, when Jack Grant, founder of the land development company Seaton Group, acquired it. When Grant's sons, Jeremy and Jordan, took over management a few years later, they were tasked with finding a use for the structure.
But reimagining a future for the site "was challenging," said Jeremy Grant, especially after ruling out other projects like condos or seniors apartments for various obstacles.
The potential for an arts hub was always there, though, considering the emerging arts scene in Caledon at the time.
"It became apparent that something in the arts and culture realm was really what was going to have to be the direction," said Grant. "It also coincided with what we saw as a very, maybe early on, but evident and growing, arts community in the region."
In 1999, the brothers were approached by local woodworker Carl Borgström and his business partner, who expressed interest in having a studio space in the building.
Their initial idea of a potential art-centric space was slowly coming to life.
"They didn't want to be in an industrial site," said Grant. "They saw the mill, they saw it boarded up, completely derelict, and said that didn't deter them."
From there, Borgström undertook some of the renovations, collaborating with the brothers to convert that part of the mill into a woodworking shop. Renovations saw the building of six additional studios for other resident artists to move into at the end of that year.
Borgström remained in his studio from 1997 to 2000, and it was clear soon after that an opportunity was on the horizon: to transform the mill into an arts centre, where creatives could thrive and patrons could explore culture and history under one roof.
That's when the Grants partnered with Headwaters Arts, a not-for-profit organization that promotes and supports the arts in the Headwaters Hills region, which includes Caledon.
With help from Headwaters Arts, the Grants secured funding of nearly $1.8 million from Ontario's Rural Economic Development Fund and Parks Canada. Their company, Seaton Group, also covered the remaining $5 million needed for completion.
Much of the restoration involved adhering to strict guidelines to preserve the mill's iconic history, according to Grant. They were able to retain original features, including its iconic tower and much of the landscape that makes the mill so beloved.
The restoration of the building took nearly three years to complete. Photo: Alton Mill Arts Centre
"Even the landscape became part of the project and how it was designed to try to preserve the natural environment and the forest around us," said Grant. "It feels kind of like you're in an idyllic valley surrounded by trees, and so the landscape itself was part of the site feature that was preserved."
Structural elements, such as the flooring, windows, and stone walls, were preserved, but new structures were added to give the mill a touch of modernity, like the waterfall viewing platform.
Restoration began in 2006 and was completed in three years, finishing in 2009. The restored mill is a hotspot today for creatives to connect and view art, complemented by a ton of historic charm.
General Manager Martin Kouprie says there are numerous reasons to visit the centre besides the art, such as enjoying the natural area of the property.
"It's situated in a very picturesque natural area," said Kouprie. "There's a river running next to us, good Jacobs Creek. Plus, there's a pond, there's a five-acre pond in front of us, and with lots of wildlife and whatnot. We have all kinds of turtles that are always nesting around the area, and lots of wildlife."
If you're an artist yourself and want to learn from the experts, the centre also has classes on topics such as botanical journaling or portrait painting.
Alton Mill is also known for its seasonal events, like Fire & Ice in the winter and historical walking tours through the site.
The centre suggests spending a whole afternoon to get a sense of what it has to offer. You can chat with artists, learn a bit about the centre's history and walk the grounds to see its magic come alive.
Ontario Heritage Trust
