This building is at risk because it has been vacant for 15 years and is not wind or watertight. The current property owners refuse to invest in its upkeep. The building is also under threat from vandals and trespassers who break in constantly.

In 1845, John Finkle constructed the first saw mill on the east bank of the Middle Thames River in Thamesford (then St. Andrews) Ontario, Canada. The mill at that time was a four-storey wooden framed structure with a stone basement, measuring 35 feet by 45 feet. On August 23 1898 the wooden mill was struck by lightning and was quickly consumed by fire. Soon after, the mill was rebuilt in the same location, this time of yellow brick. The new building was upgraded to include the newest technologies. It was considered one of the finest gristmills in the whole of the province and shipped flour to far off destinations such as Britain and the Caribbean Islands. In 1917 the mill was sold by Joesphy Cawthorpe to George Hogg and the mill was managed as a family business until June 1970. Under Hogg ownership, a new turbine was installed in 1923, a new loading system was added in 1949 and storage silos were built in 1956. In 1971, the mill was sold to Master Feeds and Maple Leaf Mills Ltd who operated it as a livestock feedmill and warehouse. The mill ceased operation in circa 1993 and has been vacant every since.