In additional to smelting Ontario’s local iron ore for iron, it was also discovered that the iron ore was valuable for paint as well.  In 1913 a plant was built just north of the railroad for processing iron ore for color.  Referred to locally as the “Paint Mill,” ironically paint was never made here.  However, the iron ore was ground to a powder here and then shipped all over the world to be mixed with linseed oil for the familiar red barn paint.  The plant also purchased natural ingredients from all over the world to mix with the crushed iron ore to obtain other colors.  

During WWI the plant operated 24 hours a day to produce the colors used on warships for camouflage.  It was even used for color in cosmetics.  

By 1948 all operations ceased because synthetic colors were taking the place of iron ore and other natural materials for color.  All that remains of the “Paint Mill” today is the brick drying tower visible on the north side of Route 104 between Ontario Center Road and Slocum Road.