A site that has both interesting history and great hiking trails, Morningstar Mill is one of many places to reconnect with nature in the Niagara Region.
Located at 2714 Decew Rd., Morningstar Mill is a rural industrial heritage site as well as a hiking destination.
Owned and operated by Wilson Morningstar from 1883 to 1933, Mountain Mills ground wheat into flour and chopped oats, corn, rye and barley in feed for the local farms. Following a fire in November of 1892, Morningstar updated his milling equipment to include a two-break, three-reduction Grey Roller Mill system that would allow him to produce the newly popular white flour.
The Morningstar home was built around 1895 and was the home of Wilson Morningstar and his wife Emma for many years. In 1994, Morningstar’s granddaughter gave the contents of the mill and the house to the City of St. Catharines.
Currently, Morningstar Mill is one of a few mills in Ontario that still has all its original equipment and still operates using its original water source.
The historic mill and home recently closed its doors for tours for the rest of the season but the Bruce Trail that the mill backs onto is still open.
The Morningstar Mill Loop is 8.28 km in length with an elevation of 150 m. It takes approximately two hours and 17 minutes to walk the entire loop.
The Morningstar Mill Loop coincides with the beautiful Decew Falls Loop. The Decew Falls Loop is 2.3 km long with an elevation of 37 m. The estimated time it takes to walk the entire loop is about 31 minutes. It also includes Decew Falls.
The Decew Falls Waterfall is a wild waterfall that is split up into three cascades. The first is the main waterfall at Decew Falls. The second is a smaller waterfall called “Tunnel Falls,” just beside the Decew Falls. The third is Lower Decew Falls, which can be found downstream from the main waterfall.
You can reach the waterfall one of two ways. You can either take the long way and park in the Decew Falls parking lot, enjoying all three cascades, or the short way and park at Morningstar Mill. From there, you can simply lower yourself down into the gorge using the yellow rope provided to support you on your way down.
Both loops are very popular for hiking and running. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.
Morningstar Mill is an ideal place to learn more about the area’s local history while also being active and immersing oneself in nature.
