Milnet, originally known as Sellwood Junction, began its journey in the early 20th century as a remote station and watering stop for the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR, later CN). The railway line's arrival marked the beginning of an intense period of lumbering activity in the area. Shortly after the railway line opened, the lumber industry moved in, leading to the establishment of a sawmill on the shores of the Vermillion River. By 1917, the Marshay Lumber Company had bought and expanded the mill, adding a planning mill and transforming the area into a bustling company townsite with about 200 residents.
The town of Milnet, which was renamed from Sellwood Junction in 1916 to avoid confusion with the nearby mining community of Sellwood, developed into a vibrant and self-sufficient community despite its isolation. The community boasted several dozen attractive two-storey homes, a local band, and weekly dances at the dance hall. Essential services were provided by a visiting doctor, Doctor Williams, and a priest, Father Kather. The good times, however, were short-lived as the Great Depression hit the mill hard, leading to a drastic curtailment of production. In the 1930s, a series of fires of mysterious origins further devastated the mill and the community.
The first time I arrived here, I couldn't help but notice one of Milnet's most prominent features, the stone fireplace and chimney. When you see this, especially first hand, you can't help but be impressed by the craftsmanship that must have gone into this. Not only has it survived the test of time, but also survived the demise of the house to which it belonged, and the elements it's endured since. You don't see that quality of work much any more.
That aside, as I began to explore this small hamlet, I started to understand why those few who are still living here continue to do so. This is a pretty quiet corner of the world, with small lake behind that just seems the very definition of serene.
By 1940, most of Milnet's residents had left, and the once-thriving town was reduced to a small cluster of homes. The post office closed in 1944, marking the end of an era for Milnet. Today, a couple of the original homes still stand and are used seasonally, but the remains of the mill lie crumbling with a young forest growing up around them.
The foundations and the depressions in the ground suggesting the sites of former buildings are evidence of what once was, but amid that quiet solitude, it's difficult to imagine Milnet for the bustling centre it once was.
