For Sharron Simpson, the official closure of the Tolko sawmill in Kelowna's north end was both sad and momentous. It's not just the end of a chapter, but really the end of a book, that her grandfather, Stanley Simpson started to write along with the original Simpson Mill back in 1930. 

"I was really sad," said Simpson. "It's like I'm losing some of my roots." Simpson, a former Kelowna City Councillor is not just Stanley Simpson's Granddaughter, but also a local historian. She even wrote a book about Stanley Simpson and that mill entitled Boards, Boxes and Bins. The photographs for this story are all from that book which features a proud-looking Stanley Simpson on the cover. 

Photo Courtesy: Boards, Boxes and Bins by Sharron J. Simpson

"I'm sad for the people who built a life around that mill and built a community around that mill," she said. Historically, the mill was absolutely critical for Kelowna. "It was the major employer for many years."

 The mill used to sound a whistle that became part of daily life, signalling lunchtime or the end of the workday. And when there was a strike at the mill, and there were a few, the whole community was impacted. "Nobody went shopping, grocery stores survived on credit," said Simpson.

There were a few fires over the years, one of them came early in 1939 which was intentionally set.

Photo Courtesy: Boards, Boxes and Bins by Sharron J. Simpson

The mill was rebuilt before the war started. "The country was still embroiled in the depression," she said. "He was ready to go in September, but it was also September that war was declared on Germany.

After that, the mill was kept busy with wartime production. Decade after decade the mill was there woven into Kelowna's history like few other fixtures. "Lots of kids started their working lives and ended their working lives there," said Simpson. 

Photo Courtesy: Boards, Boxes and Bins buy Sharron J. Simpson

Simpson managed to get a tour of the mill prior to the final closure courtesy of Tolko. "We walked every catwalk, and every stairway," she said. "I had a wonderful morning."

Photo credit: NowMedia2020

A lot of history will fade away with the mill gone, but Simpson said her biggest sense of loss is for the employees, who like many before, relied on the mill to support their families. 

"I know that people have committed their lives to that organization," Simpson said. "And I think this is a really sad ending."

Photo Courtesy: Boards, Boxes and Bins by Sharron J. Simpson