Barrington Price, pioneer rancher and trader, built the water powered Grist Mill in 1877. The mill, which operated until the 1890s, has been declared an historic site and is the last pioneer mill in the province that has its operating machinery and building more or less intact.
Careful restoration has included the reconstruction of an operating water wheel and flume. Explore the process of milling through hands-on exhibits in the Interpretation Centre. Staff have planted wheat behind the mill, and maintained a garden in accordance with a diary written in 1894-95 by a visitor to the mill.
The Mill’s own flour is available in the Mill Store and you can enjoy freshly baked goodies, made from the the mill’s flour, in the Tea Room. Costumed interpreters will demonstrate how the gardening, milling and other tasks of the packhorse and goldmine era were done at Grist Mill.
There are 11 creekside campsites with water and electrical hookups. A number of events are hosted throughout the year, and on Sundays there is a farmer’s market from 9:00am to 1:00 pm, as well as a brunch from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
The Grist Mill and Gardens are located beside Keremeos Creek, on Upper Bench Road, just one kilometre east off Highway 3A, on the north side of Keremeos. This is about a 40-minute drive south of the city of Penticton, or 35 minutes west of Osoyoos.
This historic site is open daily all year round. Summer hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Contact Details:
The Grist Mill and Gardens
2691 Upper Bench Road
RR#1 S-89 C-10
Keremeos, BC
V0X 1N0
Tel: 250-499-2888
Fax: 250-499-2434
