Harmer Sawmill
Original Building
Fullarton Township
Perth County
Built 1885
Originally located on West Mitchell Road in Fullarton Township, the Harmer Sawmill was a combined grist-and-sawing operation that began production around 1885. Robert J. Harmer and his son, Lorne, took over the operation in 1904. The original building was partially destroyed by fire in 1918, and was rebuilt that same year. The new structure was made of timber frame, with a large brick chimney and metal siding. The sawmill, which had served the rural areas around Stratford, Ontario for nearly one hundred years, closed in 1964 upon Mr. Harmer’s retirement.
The engine, the saw, the log carriage and the sawmill’s timber framing were donated by Dr. Harold Ledermueller, the current property owner, and Mrs. Lorne Harmer, in memory of Lorne “Shorty” Harmer in 1979. The rebuilt sawmill opened in May 1983 at the Village after restoration of the engine was completed in 1982.
Canada’s timber industry has a long history. The value of trees for ships, construction, and railways, was recognized early on, making timber a top export. In 1880, the Ontario Agricultural Commission was alarmed by the rapid disappearance of the Province’s forests. Windbreaks were gone, streams had dried up or were polluted, and even firewood had become scarce. They urged more economic use of timber and reforestation efforts. By 1910, 90% of Middlesex’s original forests were gone.
Sawmills were one of the first industries to arrive in Ontario, as these businesses offered an alternative to hand-hewn logs by producing sawn lumber. Early mills were often established along rivers and logs were floated down to them. As the industry grew, railways took over the transportation of raw materials.
Rushton Hornsby Engine
Lincoln, England
Built 1924
In 1924, when the original steam boiler ceased operating, a 52 horsepower Ruston & Hornsby diesel engine replaced the Fullarton mill’s original steam-power system. The cold-starting horizontal oil engine was made in Lincoln, England and shipped to Fullarton Township.
The engine was purchased for the sum of $3,700 from Laurie & Lamb of Toronto, dealers for the Rushton & Hornsby Company.
This single-stroke, thermo-cooled engine is a size No. 9, class H, with a 12 inch diameter bore, 20 inch shaft stroke and operates at 525-540 R.P.M.
Building restoration supported by the Farm Credit Canada (FCC) AgriSpirit Fund and New Horizons For Seniors Program, Government of Canada.
Robert J. Harmer’s sawmill in its original location in Fullarton, circa 1905. London and Middlesex Heritage Museum Archives, Courtesy of Dr. Harold Ledermueller
The Harmer Sawmill reconstructed on site at the Village, circa 1980s. London and Middlesex Heritage Museum Archives
In the past the sawmill was used for demonstration at the Village by a group of trained volunteers.
Volunteers demonstrate how you role a log on it's carriage in order to cut from another surface.
Logs milled at the Harmer Sawmill were placed on a trolley and moved through the mill along a track. Logs were often donated to the Village for demonstrations.
Lumber produced at the sawmill would be used in projects around the Village.
A tractor pulls away a wagon of logs cut to size for use in the restoration of one of our log buildings.