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The MRC ancestral sawmill is a hydraulic sawmill (scierie hydraulique), powered by water, and is notable for its high level of preservation. Reports from regional heritage inventories describe it as having retained all of its original mechanisms intact, making it unique within the Papineau Regional County Municipality (MRC) and one of the best-preserved examples of a hydraulic mill in the broader Outaouais region.
It has been abandoned for many years, but photographs of its internal machinery exist in local historical collections, showcasing the gears and equipment used for sawing lumber. In the context of the area's history, Papineau Regional County Municipality (MRC) economy in the 19th and early 20th centuries was heavily tied to forestry. Large pine trees were harvested and floated down local rivers like the Inlet and Blanche to mills in nearby Thurso for processing. This mill likely played a role in this industry, though specific operational dates aren't widely documented online. Forestry companies in the region also established farms and camps to support logging operations, providing lodging, provisions, and stables for workers and horses. Location ID #BR0138 |
Historical Photographs:
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