The Fleming Mill is back on its feet!

The restoration of the Fleming Mill, a heritage building, is now complete.

Built in 1815 by William Fleming, a Scottish immigrant, the first wooden windmill was used to grind barley and rice. Quickly adapted for wheat, in 1827 he built a five-storey, British-style stone mill, the only one still standing in Quebec. After William's death in 1860, his son John continued the operation until the end of operations around 1892. The mill fell into ruin, but was consolidated around 1930, then acquired by LaSalle in 1947. It was partially restored in 1974, classified as a heritage property in 1983, and completely restored between 1989 and 1991 to become an interpretation centre.

In September 2019, strong winds caused the motor shaft, the central part of the mill, to

break, causing the mill wings to fall and damage to the wooden railing. A restoration project was therefore started in 2024, aimed at preserving the authenticity of this Anglo-Saxon-style mill.

The work carried out:

• The masonry siding of the Saint-Laurent stone and the cedar shingles;
• The vertical planks, wooden porch, doors and windows, according to the original 1827 building;
• The assembly of the Douglas fir blades and the white oak motor shaft;
• Painting and staining of the roof and exterior woodwork;
• Siding and roof replacement;
• The installation of guardrails and the resumption of electricity.

The Fleming Mill embodies a victory and reflects the British influence on Quebec soil. Today, it proudly overlooks the St. Lawrence River and remains a heritage emblem of LaSalle.

In pictures, discover the beauty of the newly restored mill.

This work is financed in roughly equal proportions by the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications, the City of Montréal and the borough of LaSalle.