The History of Mill Island

The Windsor Cotton Mill, later the Nova Scotia Textiles building was built between 1881 and 1883. While the mill was waiting for equipment to arrive from England, young men and boys used the second floor to practice riding the high-wheel Penny Farthing bicycles of the times. The wooden floors were perfect for riding, and they couldn't be seen from outside.

In 1915 the Eureka Woolen Manufacturing Company relocated to the building after their own was destroyed by fire. They had a contract to supply underwear to the troops in Europe during World War One. J.E. Mortimer came from England in 1920 to restructure the company. (His grandson J. Edward Macdonald took over in 1956 and continued to run the company until its sale in the summer of 2006.) In 1922, Nova Scotia Textiles Limited was incorporated. It was primarily a “long underwear” company.

After the Second World War, wearing underwear as outerwear became fashionable. This trend increased business at the mill.

Nova Scotia’s “Leaning Tower of Pisa” was a chimney at the mill that looked like it would fall down anytime. It was actually of quite sound construction, but was fodder for conversation for many years. It was finally taken down in 2003.

Many people from the town of Windsor were employed at the mill over the years. In fact, most families in the area have had relatives working here. The mill also drew people to the area from across the country and abroad.

Now the mill is entering a new era as a place for people to live, work and play. Read about the renovations at Mill Island.