St. Catharines in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Morningstar Mill - Harvesting Ice

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 12, 2026

1. Morningstar Mill - Harvesting Ice - Marker

Inscription. During the winter months, Wilson Morningstar harvested ice from the mill pond with help from his friends and neighbours, and a team of horses. The ice was cut or broken into blocks, packed in sawdust and stored in an ice house for use in the summer months when it was difficult to keep food cool. Wilson would have had an ample supply of sawdust in his sawmill.

There is an ice house located beside the house at the top of the hill. It has been reconstructed by the Friends of Morningstar Mill on its original foundation. Ice was stored in the upper wooden portion of the structure, and the food that needed to be kept cool was stored underground in the cellar. The cellar was accessible by an exterior staircase. As the ice melted in the upper level, the cold water drained into the cellar where it then it drained out a pipe on the east bank. The cool air in the cellar of the ice house kept perishable foods like milk, eggs and cheese fresh in the summer.

Erected by City of St. Catharines.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 43° 6.597′ N,

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79° 15.876′ W. Marker is in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It can be reached from Decew Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2714 Decew Rd, St Catharines ON L0S 1E6, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Morningstar Mill - John DeCou's Falls and Mills (here, next to this marker); Morningstar Mill - Robert Chappell and Mountain Mills (here, next to this marker); Morningstar Mill - The Blacksmith and Carpentry Shop (a few steps from this marker); Morningstar Mill - The Sawmill (a few steps from this marker); Morningstar Mill - Welcome (a few steps from this marker); Morningstar Mill - The Mills and Property

Morningstar Mill Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 12, 2026

2. Morningstar Mill Museum

Photo faces north and north-west from the road. This marker (centre left) is in a group of 3 panels at the north-west corner of the parking lot, and beside Beaverdams Creek (left). Over a bridge is Morningstar Mill's flour mill; the dark red building on the left is the sawmill. In between, Beaverdams Creek has its waterfall into a gorge.

(a few steps from this marker); Morningstar Mill - The Barn (a few steps from this marker); Morningstar Mill - Later History (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Catharines.

More about this marker. Captions:
- Left: Winter at Mountain Mills, circa 1905. Buildings from left to right: drive shed, turbine shed, grist mill and saw mill.
- Right: Harvesting ice in the mill pond, circa 1890s

Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2026, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2026, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario.