Usually, two of the first services in an early pioneer village were a sawmill and a gristmill. Because water power was needed to operate the mills, the location of early pioneer villages was determined by the availability of running water. Not only did a sawmill and gristmill make life easier for the people living in the area, these services encouraged other people to come and settle there. The general store was not only a place to buy, sell and trade things, it was the post office and a meeting place. As other craft and trades people moved to an area, the early pioneer village was established. Although not all villages were the same - many had a school, a church, and an inn.

Teacher's resources available under Additional info tag. French language version: Le Village des premiers pionniers, DVD372.