The construction of flour milling has left a legacy of archaeological remains waiting for interpretation. The most recent example of this is the remains of McLean's Mill on the corners of Dumaresq and Marsh Street excavated by Dr. Pam Watson. This has interesting examples of changes in land use for this specific lot. Firstly, John McLean purchased the lot in 1849 and a Mill and cottage were built. In the 1860s McLean constructed a two-storey retail building, possibly from profits he gained as a miller. After McLean's death in 1912 the lot was sold to James Browning, a skin buyer. During the 1940s the buildings on McLean's corner were demolished. In 1984 Goodyear Tyres established an outlet. In 2002 the construction and opening of new Coles shopping market took place, showing the continuity of this Armidale lot land use as a retail zone (Watson and Burke 2001).

Another comparison of changing land use concerning wheat in the Armidale area is the contrast of changing uses of 'the black paddock' at Clark's Farm. This area contained suitable resources for a number of necessary functions. Originally the Anaiwan people used the land as a quarry thousands years ago for the napping of stone for tools with European settlement the rich volcanic soil was cleared and ploughed for the cultivation of grain crops including wheat. When this agricultural practice proved unprofitable sheep grazing was introduced into the paddock. Today this 'black paddock' is used as a teaching tool to demonstrate an Indigenous quarry, showing the continuity and change of the needs of the local people.