A community effort to bring a part of Lincoln’s history back to life

In 1867, Lincoln was a very different township to what it is today. It was to become a railway junction in 1875 for trains headed to Little River and Southbridge, up until 1967 when the railway closed with the evolution of better roads and alternative tracks.

Lincoln was also home to one of the largest flour mills in Canterbury, owned by Henry Moffat, known as Moffat’s Mill and was operating between 1867 and 1921. So, between 1867 and the coming of the railway in 1875 Moffat was dependent on a specially constructed large cart to get his flour to Christchurch.

Today all that is left of the mill are stories collected by the Lincoln & District Historical Society (Inc.) Society and a broken weir near where the flour mill stood, approximately 65 metres east of Ryelands Drive.

Selwyn District Council is working in collaboration with Lincoln & District Historical Society (Inc.), Lincoln Rotary and Landform Projects to turn the rundown overgrown site where the weir is located into a beautiful spot for the community to visit and learn about Lincoln’s past.

The works to construct a new weir and improve the landscape and access to the millpond and pathway are planned for summer 2025.

Nodding to its past, the area will include a replica of the ‘very large’ water wheel which powered the millstones for grinding grain at the mill and a display of the original heritage millstones.

The construction of the water wheel will be organised by the Lincoln Rotary.

“This is a great project for us to be involved in which acknowledges Lincoln’s wonderful heritage” says Ross Mitchell from Lincoln Rotary.

Rupert Tipples, President of the Lincoln and Districts Historical Society (Inc.) says being involved with this project is encouraging because it shows that their contribution from amateur historians is valued and used.

“We are also really keen to access a photo of Moffat’s Mill Lincoln, as we do not have one in our collection of historial photos and we would love to share this with the community.”

Do you or your family have Moffat’s Mill stories or photos you would like to share? We would love for you to share your stories and photos with us. Please email them to communications@selwyn.govt.nz