Old Mill Inn & Spa in Toronto

A very popular venue, the Old Mill Inn and Spa is an English-style Inn and restaurant.  It was originally a saw mill built in 1793.  In 1914, it was owned by R. Home Smith who opened it as "the Old Mill Tea Garden".  Following that the Inn was used as a dance hall for during the Big Band era in the 20's.  More recently in 1983 it was designated as a 'Heritage Property' by the City of Etobicoke (now Toronto).  Currently it is owned by the Kalmar family.  The Spa opened in 2001 with over 47 rooms and 13 suites. The property over looks 2.5 hecacres of parkland surrounding the Humber River making it a perfect spot for weddings, business conventions or a romantic getaway.

When you look at this gorgeous property both inside and out, its not too difficult to imagine that almost 300 years ago the area surrounding the Old Mill, was once used as a fishing and hunting area for the First Nations before the Europeans took settlement here.  By about 1720, the French had made it their home calling a small piece of land the Magasin Royale, was was close to the present site of the Mill.  They used this fort-like property to trade with different native bands.

50 years later, the English came and built homes, using the Mill to cut lumber.  The first homes were built in York, Upper Canada which is now known as Toronto.  There are so many beautiful piece of furniture inside, surrounded by lush gardens on the outside, patios, gifts shops and a chapel onsite.  


see Etienne Brule Trail
see Humber River Trail

Crooks Hollow - Greenville

I had written a little about the history of Crooks Hollow as a developing industrial boom-town in the early 1800's founded by James Crooks, who was a visionary. (see link for Darnley Ruins).

But even long before James Crooks inhabited this land, this historical trail of Crooks Hollow attracted early settlers here as well.  About a hundred years earlier, King George III of England granted some land to some Early United Empire Loyalists who had fled the United States coming from Niagara to the western part of Lake Ontario, shortly before the end of the American Revolution.   

 

If you want to delve even deeper into the historical past of Crooks Hollow, there are plenty of good reading on the history of the Natives that settled in the area, hunting and fishing in Spencer Creek, that was between 1650-1700's.  During this time there was plenty of feuding  between Hurons and the Iroquouis.  A third tribe emerged as well known as the "Neutrals" because they refused to fight.  Eventually the great war between the Natives ended in and around what is now known as Dundurn Park.  In this battle, the "Neutral" Nation vanished completely.


Present day the historical Crooks Hollow trail is enjoyed all year long and is free for everyone.  The trail is about 1.5 km long and is nestled in a crook of this peaceful and beautiful small town, the Crooks Hollow.