Grist Mill Replica (c.1900). Click the photo for more details.

The grist mill replica is a reproduction of Abraham Erb’s grist mill which was located on King Street (present day 15 King St. S.). The replica is located at the Caroline Street entrance to Waterloo Park, along Silver Lake. The original mill was built in 1816 by Abraham Erb, an early settler of Waterloo. It was a smart business move as it provided local farmers a much closer option than the mill in Dundas. Erb took advantage of Beaver Creek, later called Laurel Creek, and he made sure that all roads led to his establishment which he called Union Mills. Erb ran the successful mill for about 13 years and then sold it to Jacob C. Snider. The mill operated into the 20th century.

In 1998, the replica grist mill was built as part of a project to revitalize Silver Lake. The mill cost $75,000 to build, with a variety of local companies donating approximately $50,000 to cover the cost. Local historian and member of the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee, Ellis Little, advised the city on historical details. The mill is mostly ornamental, but was built with the intention of showing people Waterloo’s history.⁷¹ The grist mill space has been used for weddings and events since its opening.