Historical Sites

Dating back to the 1860s, the Spencerville Mill is the last remaining mill on the South Nation River. Once a flour and grist mill that served the local community's needs, it then adapted to be used as a feed mill, serving local farmers and feed stores throughout southeastern Ontario.

Visitors are welcome for tours daily in July & August, as well as by appointment in June, September and October.  View artifacts and exhibits for a journey into living history.

The Spencerville Mill Foundation was formed in 1995 as a volunteer driven, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and operating the historic Spencerville Mill, now a museum and events venue. The foundation played a key role in restoring the mill and continues to manage its operations, events, and educational programs.  The mill and its park are available to rent for private functions, including weddings and family gatherings. Visit the website for more information. 

You can also follow the Spencerville Mill's updates on Facebook.

Opening in 1846, the Galop Canal ran 12 km from Iroquois to Cardinal, allowing ships to bypass the rapids at Point Iroquois, Cardinal and Galop Island. The canal was one of several navigation canals constructed along the St. Lawrence River to improve shipping through this section of the river. New locks were built along the canal in 1897, and the lock at Cardinal (Lock 26) was 60 metres in length. Other locks along the canal were among the longest in Canada at the time, reaching almost 243 metres.

Use of the Galop Canal declined following the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway, which officially opened in 1959. The new seaway system introduced larger locks and deeper navigation channels to accommodate bigger ships travelling between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. At the same time, hydroelectric development along the St. Lawrence River transformed the landscape, flooding several communities and reshaping life along the river.

Today, the Galop Canal is also home to the Weehawk shipwreck. The ferry was moved to Lock 27 near Cardinal in 1961 and, after being abandoned, eventually sank in the canal. The Weehawk is a popular dive site, and experienced divers often drift through Lock 27 into the St. Lawrence River to the nearby Conestoga shipwreck.