The Thompson Feed Mill was once a busy stop along the train tracks for many many people. Trains would pull up alongside the mill where a giant tube was sent down from the top of the building, and different types of grains would either be poured into train cars, or sucked out of them and sorted into different silos by flowing down through a series of tubes.
At the top of the building there is a spinning wheel mechanism connected to a series of tubes running into tall silos that an operator would have moved around to allow different types of feed or grains to be sold or received. He would spin the wheel over the correct tube and latch it into place, and then step back as the goods either come in or pour out.
A series of creaky wooden stairs, old rotting catwalks, and scary ladders mark your ascent to the sorting room above the silos. One wrong step could have been instant demise. For all I know the building has long sense sat abandoned as the need for shipping across the country by train has drastically decreased over the years. Now it stands as a bright colourful monument to the rich history of trains that belleville is immersed in.
The geocache is NOT inside the abandoned building, but will provide a nice view of the area. Parking would be best at the northern most end of John Street South as I have seen that the owner parks there. Good luck and have fun!!
**So I stopped by today to check on the cache and just want to remind everyone to please try not to be destructive of the property. Nothing has to be pulled completely apart for the cache to be found, you need just follow the hint, think hard, and peek, and it will present itself. Be gentle and you will be rewarded. And please place everything back exactly as found to ensure the adventure is equally enjoyable for the next cachers. Thank you very much!**
Congrats to emily_vallee for the first find!!!