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Many unsuccessful attempts were made in the past to bring a flour milling industry to Humboldt. The first flour mill in Humboldt was finally established when Archibald P. McNab sold the Saskatoon Milling Company to the Quaker Oats Company The machinery and dismantled mill were moved to Humboldt. A 100 barrel flour mill and grain elevator were erected. McNab formed a partnership with James L. Patterson, G.B. Young, and W A. Hagerman, and the mill was open for business in 1913. In 1931, the mill changed over from steam power to electricity It: became completely equipped with motors and each depart ment had its own individual unit The mill now operated 24 hours a day. On January 30, 1956, while Archie McNab's son, Eddie, was manager, a fire destroyed McNab Industries causing a loss of $150,000. Only the office, the re- |
cords, and a small amount of stock was saved. An elevator was Iost containing 15,000 bushels of wheat which continued to burn two days after the fire began. Seventeen volunteer firemen made up six lines in fighting the fire but' were hampered by insufficient pressure. The mill was at the extreme western limit of the water system. Due to the distance from the water tower, no more than 50 Ibs. of pressure could be received in the lines. After the fire, McNab Industries folded. Wilf Chamney. who was one of the nine employees at the time, decided to continue with the business. He started his own small operation of buying rape seed and built a small plant. This was the beginning of Humboldt Flour Mills Co. Ltd. A warehouse, offices, a cleaning plant, and several elevators were constructed while the business grew into what is seen today. |
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