The Victoria Community Development Corporation
Water Powered Sawmill

In 1916 Mr. James Stephenson built a water driven sawmill on a river flowing into Big Spruce Pond about two miles from Victoria. The mill burned down in a forest fire two years later. The VCDC felt that a full size replica would be a good tourist attraction.

In 1997 Newfoundland Power allowed the VCDC to build a replica of a water driven sawmill next to its Hydro Electric Museum. The plans came from a book by Anderson on the saw mill that was located in Deep Bright NF. The cast iron gears were purchased in Heart's Desire from the owner of an abandoned mill. All of the bearing came from Avondale where a Water Driven Mill once existed.

With funding from HRDC for labour and some donated materials, a 32'x16' building shell was erected. In the spring of 1998 the 14' in diameter wooden wheel with a 65' water sluice, was put in place. The interior machinery with a 12' Pit wheel, a 20' long Push Bench were assembled and operating

In the summer of 1998 the VCDC received funding from ACOA to install safety barriers, signage, and complete landscaping around the water wheel, and cooperage. A fence was installed to keep visitors away from sluice. Landscaping with sods and plants were put in place. Bearings for wheel were in place and wheel turned with the force of the available water.

The water driven sawmill is operational in the summer months.