Mill Street

Mill Street is part of the historic downtown of Brockville, Ontario, a town on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands region. Brockville was founded in the 1780s by settlers who came north after the American Revolution, and it was named after Major-General Isaac Brock, the British commander who died at the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812. The town grew as a river port and railway centre, and the nineteenth-century wealth that came with trade built a downtown of solid brick and stone, much of which still survives.

The downtown is compact and walkable, laid out on a grid that runs down toward the river. King Street is the main commercial thoroughfare, and the side streets, including Mill Street, are lined with buildings of the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Rows of brick storefronts with carved cornices, tall windows and decorative stonework give the district a cohesive character, and many of these former merchants’ premises now house shops, galleries, restaurants and professional offices. The architecture is the main attraction, and a stroll with an eye on the upper storeys rewards the observant visitor.

The area is a good base for exploring Brockville’s heritage. The Brockville Museum, on a nearby street, covers local history, and the Brockville Art Gallery shows regional work. The old Court House and its green, near the centre of town, form an attractive public space, and the Brockville Railway Tunnel, the first railway tunnel in Canada, lies close to the riverfront. The waterfront trail, with its parks, lies a short walk to the south, and the Thousand Islands scattered in the river beyond give the town its setting.

Mill Street is quieter than King Street, so it suits a slow walk rather than a shopping trip. Local events and festivals use downtown streets through the year, and the pace picks up in summer. Visitors arrive for the river and the islands. In winter the downtown is calm, with its old buildings dusted with snow.

The district suits those interested in architecture and small-town history, and anyone who enjoys independent shops and cafes. It is easy to reach by car from the highway, with street and lot parking nearby, and a visit can be combined with a river cruise or a walk along the waterfront. Allow an hour or two for the streets, and more if you add the museum and gallery. Opening hours for individual shops and attractions vary by season, so check ahead.