New Historical Signs Erected Along the Maitland Trail by Frayne Family

We are excited to announce the addition of two new historical signs along the Maitland Trail, thanks to the Frayne family. These signs, located on their property within the scenic Cherrydale area, south of Benmiller, shed light on the rich history of the region.

The first sign marks the site of the very first dam and sawmill in the Huron Tract.

In 1828, Michael Fisher, the first settler of Colborne Township, purchased 5,465 acres from the Canada Company. Fisher’s journey to the area was no small feat: he arrived in Goderich by steamship and traveled upstream on the Maitland River by boat. Fisher selected this spot for its large, fast-flowing spring, perfect for powering a waterwheel and operating a sawmill. He constructed a Muley sawmill, known for its vertical “up and down” saw, rather than the more familiar circular blade. To this day, hikers can see remnants of the original stone dam as well as the subsequent concrete dam built by Mr. Durst.

Michael Fisher's early development took place before road surveys had even been completed. Supplies had to be brought in by boat or winter sleigh tracks, making his work all the more impressive.

After first building a log shanty, Fisher completed a stone house in 1834 to accommodate his growing family. His property included not just the sawmill but also a small furniture factory—a testament to his industrious spirit.

The second sign tells of a property auction in 1883, during which the property’s "unsurpassed water privileges" were highlighted. By this time, the sawmill had been converted into a cider mill, driven by the same waterwheel that once powered the sawmill. Though the area's once-abundant cedar swamp has since been drained, reducing the water flow needed for milling, the history of this location lives on through these signs.

We extend our gratitude to the Frayne family for sharing this important chapter of our local history.

For those interested in delving deeper into the past of the lower Maitland River, we recommend the book "Windings, a History of the Lower Maitland River" by Margaret Beecroft, an excellent resource for further reading - available at some local Huron County libraries.