The McCrae Chimney

Not many hazards related to this location, the only problem is what you’d expect from hiking. The chance encounter of seeing an animal and the constant presence of mosquitos and ticks throughout the trail. Just wear bug spray and long, light-colored clothes.

Thomas McCrae was born in Dukeston, Scotland in 1820. In 1849 he emigrated with his family to Canada and settled in Guelph, where he obtained work as a bookkeeper. By 1853 he was in the lumber business and had purchased timber rights in East Flamborough. Thompson, McCrae & Co. established a water-powered sawmill there and continued operation until the timber was exhausted. In 1859, McCrae bought out Thompson and later became engaged in woolen-weaving under the name of Armstrong, McCrae, and Co., operating the worsted and knitting mills, later known as the Guelph Woollen Mills Co. located on Surrey and Huskinson Streets. The water-powered sawmill that was operated by Thomas McCrae is situated on the Mountsberg Conservation area property. The sight included two busy mills, serval houses for the mill hands, stables, and a barn. Now all that remains after 160 years is the McCrae chimney which I believe is part of one of the original millhand houses. Even though the lumber supply was exhausted here the owner of the property did pass it down to Thomas’s son Colonel David McCrae. Then on November 30, 1872, a Canadian legend, war hero, and famous Zete would be born… Lieutenant Colonel Dr.John Alexander McCrae. Davids's son would become a famous Canadian for writing the poem “In Flanders Field”. It is not a far-fetched idea to think that he even would have once stood at the location of the McCrae chimney since his father did own the property. Further down the line in 1969 the Halton Regional Conservation Authority gained ownership of the property.