History:Â
Thomas Wilson (1860-1915) settled here in 1907 to study chemical fertilizers. The engineer, who had made a fortune with his discoveries and inventions in the field of electro-chemistry, considered this the ideal site for one of his most daring experiments. Within these walls, now in ruins, he condensed phosphoric acid to produce phosphate fertilizer. He earned his nickname, "Carbide", by developing a method for the production of calcium carbide. This substance is harmless when dry, but produces acetylene - an extremely flammable gas - when dampened with water. With Wilson's process, acetylene could be safely stored in the form of inert calcium carbide. Today, the Wilson House, located on O'Brien Point at Meech Lake, is used for federal government conferences.
-Plaque on site
Personal Commentary:Â
Getting out to this location isn't too hard, but you want to keep the kiddies close and be ready to cover their eyes. It's a place frequented by nudists, so make lots of noise and don't be surprised.
While I assume the geography has changed somewhat since this mill was in production it is, today at least, a fascinating spot well worth a stop if you're in the area.
