The water powered mill of Avondale, Newfoundland, was built in the 1800's by Mr. William Lewis Clarke of Bristol England.  It was operational until 1892.  That year, on the day after St. John's was destroyed by fire, a blaze destroyed both the mill, and the Clarke home.


Mr Clarke rebuilt the mill within the year.  He was married to Eliza Percey of Brigus, and their son, Harold Clarke, operated the mill until 1948 when he retired due to ill health.  He later sold the mill to John Power of Avondale, who in turn sold it to John Mason of Avondale in 1953 and, for a while it was operated by Leo Mason, the owner's brother.  When it was no longer profitable, the mill fell idle and remained so for many years.


Mr Mason then leased the old mill to the co-operative society in 1983, which made plans to restore it to a tourist attraction.  A federal government work project helped restore it, but the lease ended in 1991 and the mill became idle again.


In June 1995, Jackie McGrath purchased the land and building from Mr Mason with great plans in mind.  Less than a month later, the 145 year old sawmill burned to the ground.


The land on which the mill once stood is now being turned into an RV Park and lodge, with an interpretative museum about the mill in its day.