On a waterway in southwest Nova Scotia, a historical investigator is delving into the forgotten remnants of North America’s history. Allains River, previously known as Lequille River, winds its way as a tributary of the Annapolis River, flowing from the province’s interior to present-day Annapolis Royal.

Approximately four centuries ago, the river hosted one of the earliest industrial ventures established post-colonization: a flour mill constructed in 1607 and later destroyed by fire in 1643. The mill’s precise location remained a mystery for ages until an amateur historian from the U.S., along with a team of researchers and archaeologists, began unraveling the mystery, shedding light on Nova Scotia’s history of colonization, interactions, and the enduring Mi’kmaw presence.

Mark Borton, a writer from Connecticut leading the search for the Poutrincourt gristmill, expressed the site’s significance, calling it a crucial location with a rich historical tapestry. The necessity for a gristmill to produce flour arose in 1605 when a fortified fur-trading post was established at Port Royal, as noted by Samuel de Champlain. The mill, a water-powered facility for grinding grains, appeared on maps from that era, emphasizing its importance.

Borton, drawn to Champlain’s map during a trip to the Maritimes in 2018, recognized the mill’s historical value immediately. By aligning elements from the old map with current geographic features, Borton identified a potential site, noticing a faint square along the marsh’s edge that could signify a foundation – a clue suggesting man-made construction.

Further investigations led Borton to discover other historical features in the area, including dikes and a fishing weir. Collaborating with experts, such as archeologists from Kwilmu’kw Maw‑klusuaqn and Saint Mary’s University, Borton’s project delves into the intertwined narratives of European and Indigenous land use along Allains River, emphasizing a shared past and the importance of preservation.

Fowler, an anthropology professor at Saint Mary’s, highlighted the project’s alignment with their research on the French-Mi’kmaq interactions and the significance of Allains River in this historical context. Plans for utilizing ground-penetrating radar to investigate the mill site further underscore the commitment to uncovering and preserving this shared landscape, offering insights into past interactions that may hold relevance for the present and future.