In the early 19th century lumber was the backbone of the local economy and by 1851 there wer 19 saw mills operating in Brighton Township, most of them small family run affairs taking advantage of a natural watercourse on a farm or settlement.
on April 21, 1852, following several days of heavy rain combined with late snow melt, the waters of a small glacial lake 1.5 km west of this spot broke through ancient gravel banks and cascaded down the valley following the path of the creek, tearing trees out of the roots and destroying everything in its path.
East of here the Shearer saw mill was in operation and two men were swept to their deaths and the mill was destroyed. Further east the Simpson mill was damaged but thankfully there was no loss of life.
Major damage was done to the main road (The Old Percy Road) severely restricting transportation of lumber and other goods. A new road had been under construction for sometime and the Breakaway incident provided the final incentive to proceed. In the spring of 1853 work was begun at Harbour Street in the village of Brighton and by 1856 the new Brighton and Seymour Gravel Raod was completed to Mallory's Corners, north of Codrington. The road provided a much needed direct north-south route through Brighton Township which was important to later economic development, it survives today as Northumberland Road 30 which brought you here today.
Park and walk the short loop trail to the cache.