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

Morningstar Mill - Later History

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 12, 2026

1. Morningstar Mill - Later History - Marker

Inscription. By 1930, Wilson Morningstar had gradually shut down his flour milling business. After Wilson died in 1933, his son-in-law, David Robson, continued to produce animal feed for local farmers on the occasional weekend for a few years until the turbine seized.

In 1941, Wilson's widow, Emma, sold the property to the Hydro Electric Power Commission of Ontario (HEPC). Due to public interest and the generosity of the HEPC, the City of St. Catharines and the St. Catharines Water Works Commission, the mill was opened as Mountain Mills Museum in 1962. Wilson's grandson, Donald Robson, acted as curator and custodian of the site. The City of St. Catharines purchased the property in 1989, and had the mill and house designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1997.

Wilson and Emma lived in the house throughout their lifetimes. When Wilson died, Wilson's oldest daughter and her family moved back into the house, and her children (Wilson's grandchildren) lived in the house until 1991. Wilson's granddaughter, Lorna Robson, bequeathed the contents of the mill and house to the City of St. Catharines in 1994.

Today, the

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operation of the mill and the conservation of the buildings and property are made possible by the ongoing efforts and support of the Friends of Morningstar Mill, the community and the City of St. Catharines.

Erected by City of St. Catharines.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 43° 6.618′ N, 79° 15.855′ 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 - Later History - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 12, 2026

2. Morningstar Mill - Later History - Marker in context

Photo faces south-east, from north end of flour mill. Marker is at the south-west corner of the "Garage" building. The photo shows the stone barn as well.

Morningstar Mill - The Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Morningstar Mill - The Sawmill (within shouting distance of this marker); Morningstar Mill - The Mills and Property (within shouting distance of this marker); Morningstar Mill - The Miller's House (within shouting distance of this marker); Morningstar Mill - The Blacksmith and Carpentry Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Morningstar Mill - Welcome (within shouting distance of this marker); Morningstar Mill - The Spiral Staircase (within shouting distance of this marker); Morningstar Mill - Wilson's Grandchildren (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Catharines.

More about this marker. Captions:
Left: Wilson and Emma Morningstar's grandchildren Donald and Lorna Robson, early 1930s.
Right: Donald and Lorna Robson, early 1930s

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 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2026, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario.