The office for Thompson Smith's Mill, Amsterdam. Robert Collings, Geo. Taylor, Miss Scott, Mrs. W. McKinstry (Ida Collings), Jas. Spence (Seated), Jack Davey (standing), James Scott, Sam Scott, Jack Busby, Tommy Mulligan.

Thompson Smith was a Toronto man who participated in the incorporation the Rama Lumber Transport Co. and who opened up a lumber mill in Amsterdam (near Bradford). The exact date of opening is unknown, but it was sometime between 1858-1869. The mill was a steam mill and many of the logs cut were shipped along the Holland River. Smith's mill was eventually one of many in the area during the late nineteenth century.

The Bradford Witness decided to release a series of articles from local townspeople on the history of certain events in Bradford and West Gwillimbury's time. This week, the Holland River is the topic.

Contains clippings and photographs of Bradford West Gwillimbury buildings and streets

The two-storey, frame house located at 89 Holland St. East was the home of Tom and Mary (Harman) Saint for many years. The structure was moved across the river to this site from the Thompson Smith Saw Mill (at Amsterdam) after it closed. A crawl space under the back kitchen was replaced in 1936 by a cellar under the front part of the house. It was dug by Jim (Dummy) Peters, Donald Campbell, and Joe Saint using pick-shovels. They then poured an 8” concrete wall. An oil furnace was installed after the front cellar was completed. It replaced the wood-fueled cooking stove previously used as a heat source for the house. Tom owned the property from Holland St. through to John Street. There was a lane behind the house that led to a woodshed. At the bottom of the lot there was a shed for a wagon, buggy, implements, etc. Upstairs was a loft for hay and on the east side there was a horse stable. Tom was a stone mason, brick layer, plasterer, and cement layer. He used a horse to haul his materials. Six children (William, John, Sadie, Leonard, May and Jane) were raised in this house. Sadie married Walter Reeves, a lacrosse player and a one man/one dog police force. Sadie lived at home and Dorothy married Harvey Marks and stayed in the family till 1989. A front porch and a car port at the back were eventually added. The lot at the back was sold to William Smith. (1, 2)

"Thompson Smith's mill in Amsterdam, where Riverview Inn now stands, about 1890. Moe Campbell hepled build this mill. This mill's last owners were Mickle and Dyment."

Thompson Smith was a Toronto man who participated in the incorporation the Rama Lumber Transport Co. and who opened up a lumber mill in Amsterdam (near Bradford). The exact date of opening is unknown, but it was sometime between 1858-1869. The mill was a steam mill and many of the logs cut were shipped along the Holland River. Smith's mill was eventually one of many in the area during the late nineteenth century.