|
You are also welcome to join SWA on interactive sites: Swatara on Ning where you can comment on forums: http://swatara.ning.com/forum Post your pictures of our events, water conservation, floods, pollution. Share your memories about the Swatara.... Other forum topics include the Bordner Cabin, Eagle Scout Projects, PA Conservation Corps, Swatara State Park, Swatara River, Swatara Sojourn, Swatara Water Trail, Tenaska, Union Canal Canoe Rentals, and Water Companies. Swatara on FaceBook--: Swatara on Great Nonprofits: http://www.greatnonprofits.org/reviews/profile2/swatara-watershed-association SWATARA WATERSHED ASSOCIATIONLebanon, PA USA
|
Jo Ellen Litz (copy right 1/2000) At one time, Lebanon County had 45 water powered grist-mills. Practically all mills east of the Susquehanna River were stone, while the overwhelming majority of the mills west of the river were frame. Many of the Lebanon County mills were also of brick because of the vast amount of clay deposits (SPOOM). The introduction of a new process called the roller system put away thousands of small rural mills. The millstone had served its time and was retired with high honors and pleasant memories. (Quittaphilla) A clover hulling mill for the purpose of securing clover seed was operated by Syner in the early part of the 19th century. (2, p 279-280) LEBANON COUNTY ANNVILLE: There are several fine Flouring Mills, among them are those of Messrs. David Kreider, Joseph Kreider, Killinger, &c. (1) Raiguel Mill PA-038-017, South White Oak St. Annville PA. (a. k. a. Kreider Mill) Other business. Built in 1879 of a white self-cleaning limestone. Well-preserved structure but there is no machinery. Now used as a warehouse. A white millers cottage is across the street. (SPOOM) The Kreider Mill picture was taken by Luther Harpel about 1907 at the 3-arch stone bridge over the Quittapahilla Creek on South White Oak Street on the South Annville Township line. To the right is the Raiguel family barn. Both the Kreider and Raiguel families settled in the area in the mid-eighteenth century. Abraham and Elizabeth Raiguel built the mill in 1797. After 1840, it was owned by David Kreider and his descendants. No longer used, the mill still stands. Nearby is the 1793 Raiguel house. (SPOOM) Kreiders mill was south of the Heilig house, on the Dauphin and BerksTurnpike. This mill was built in 1793 by Abraham Riegel. The Riegel estate sold it to David Kreider, Sr., in 1840, and he sold it to Andrew and David Kreider in 1856. In 1858 Andrew sold his share to David. (Quittaphilla) Bachman, John. Miller. Fontana PO. Dealer in Flour, Grain, &c. Res and Mill near Fontana immediately South of Horse Shoe Turnpike. (1) Bachmans Mill PA-038-008, Southeast of Bachmans Run behind an old mansion. No machinery remains. Along the dam stood an old one-room schoolhouse known as the Dam (n) School. (SPOOM) Bachmans Mill, south of Annville on the Quittapahilla, no longer exists. Built in 1831 by Abraham Raiguel, it was conveyed to Peter Bachman in 1834. The area is now being developed as Quittie Creek Nature Park by Friends of Old Annville for the township. ( A Post Card History) This mill was built in 1831 by Abraham and Mary Raiguel (Riegel), and conveyed to peter Bachman in 1834. Reconveyed to John K. Bachman in 1849, and deeded to John A. Bachman in 1903. (Quittaphilla)Brandts Mill at the west-end of Annvilles Queen Street is the only mill in the area still operating. Leroy Brandt is the third generation of his family operating the mill in the 20th century. In the previous century, it was called the Annville Flouring Mill. It recalls the importance of mills-grist and sawmills- to the economy of Lebanon County. The 26-mile long Quittapahilla contained several dozen mills over the past 250 years. ( A Post Card History)Herrs Mill and Forge PA-038-018, PA. Location unknown. Built in 1812 of stone and frame. Gun barrels were forged here in the 1770s. The forge site is oversized, but the much-enlarged mill now operates as a merchant flour-mill (SPOOM) Clear Spring Mill PA-038-019. Non-operating. 2 miles downstream from Herrs Mill, just off Route 422. A stone building with two other mill buildings and a residence, Now used by Bethlehem Steel Co., who operates the limestone quarries. Inquire at the quarry office and you will be taken to the old mill and forge. Reference OMN; "Old Mills in the News". Summer 1984, pp18 (SPOOM) Old Forge Mill PA-0380020. .5 mile above Syner. Frame building recently used as a boiler factory, with dam and foundation still visible. There is a cast iron bridge nearby. (SPOOM) Shueys Mill PA-038-022. 1 mile north of Harpers Tavern, PA. Frame building with 4 sets of rollers, a sifter with cleaner, bagger, Was once powered by a 14 x 4 steel overshot waterwheel. In operating condition. (SPOOM) Conrads Indian Creek Mill PA038-024. (a. k. a Shueys Mill) Operational, powered by other location. Build c. 1742. The original waterwheel was replaced by a diesel engine in the 1960s. At the present time only sale of feed is conducted. Contact James Conrad, RD2 Box 515, Annville PA 17003. (SPOOM) 40 degrees 24.56N and 76 degrees 34.88 W. In an interview on 1/8/2000, Mr. Conrad said he bought the mill from his mother and father. His mother is still living. Noting no grant money was available to help with the restoration, a recent paint job returning the mill to its original grey color cost $4000. Mr. Conrad said the original wooden-wheel was undershot by the millrace. While still 100% functional with diesel power, in 1997, Mr. Conrad shut-down the operation. He couldnt feed his five children on the $1 per hour profits. His biggest customer was Benders Hometown Bakery in Hamburg. Because his grind was unique, all Benders recipes had to be modified. A bridge from the old Route 22 highway runs in front of Conrad's. Built in 1923, the bridge was condemned in 1940. Also at the mill, potatoes were sized/sorted for distribution. Mr. Conrad is opening an antique shop in the old mill. (Litz) AVON: Wynn JF. Miller. Occupies Wolfs Steam Grist Mill. Dealer in Flour, feed, &c. PO, Avon. (1) BETHEL: "Grove Brothers" Homestead: This was during the war with England. One year later, in 1815, the grist-mill which is still in useas is the saw-millwas built; and in this mill, in a roughly boarded room, which looks as it did 60 years ago, and within a short stones throw of where the Grove Brothers have erected an elegant and costly brick mansion, of beautiful design, Mr. JW Grove, one of the present proprietors, was born in 1816. (1) PA-038-001, .5 mile south of Fredericksburg on Center Street. Mill and mansion, c.1875 (SPOOM) Moyer, Joseph D., Owner of 100 acres of land, (more or less,) on which are two houses, two barns, &c. Farmer and Miller. PO Mt. Zion, Lebanon co. (1) Alberts Mill PA-038-002, Greble, PA Updated 10/89 Brick construction. Had an undershot waterwheel until it was replaced with a turbine. (SPOOM) John Alberts Grist & Saw Mill (1) Freeport Mill west of Mt. Zion, east of Route 343, at golf course. Being torn down, brick structure,. (Ditzler) H. A. Spannuths Mill east of Hamlin, west of Frystown, operational grist mill. (Ditzler) Casper Kohrs Mill After the terror of the French and Indian War had subsided, the area around Bethel Township again began to repopulate and flourish. On April 1, 1752, Casper Kohr purchased a tract of 248 acres and 113 perches from his father-in-law, Christian Ohrendorf. The land extended eastward to the road leading from Fredericksburg to Lebanon. On April 16, 1753, Casper entered into an agreement with Mathias Groh, the adjoining land-owner to the north, for the construction of a millrace on this land. The mill stood on Elizabeth Creek, a mile south of Fredericksburg. Kohrs mill was built about 1762 and operated probably into the 1830s and beyond, being passed down through several generations of Kohrs. It was one of the first mills constructed in the Fredericksburg area, and it provided lumber, flour and ground meal to the immerging community. The mill was about 26 x 26 feet square and was probably built of timbers atop a stone foundation. The mill-race, extending from Mathias Grohs land, was probably constructed of earth and stone. It must have been at least a half mile in length in order to provide enough head to power the water-driven wheel. In the record of burials for the Moravian church at Bethel, Casper Kohr was listed as being a "Blacksmith, farmer, and miller" at his death in 1801. Today, the borders of the original tract of land can still be seen. The northern border of the property extends west from the village of Shirksville along the Shirksville Road. The eastern boundary lies along the South Pine Grove Street (Route 343) and the southern boundary runs west along Greble Road. Along the Route 343 border there are a number of new houses, and at the northeast corner there is a new Methodist Church. Casper Kohrs land, for the most part, is taken up by two farms. The land that once contained the mill is now a dairy farm owned by the Maulfair family. It lies at the bottom of a deeply cut valley, where Elizabeth run still flows swiftly on its way to the Little Swatara Creek. The foundation of the old mill was filled in several years ago by the Maulfairs, covering the last vestiges of the structure. An old millstone cemented into the front walk of the Maulfairs Farmhouse is now the only reminder of what once was the mill. The portion of land containing the original mill was sold to Caspers son, Michael, a week before his twenty-first birthday. A Bethel Township tax list dated October 5, 1798 listed Michael Kore as owning the following buildings; a bank-barn 50-25, smith shop 20x16, stable 28x15, and grist and saw mill 24x36 on 113 acres. (Isele) The first grist mill on the Little Swatara was built by Casper Bretzius near the village of Rock--the mill, a one-story log house, produced grain for Washington's troops at Valley Forge. (Black Rock) CAMPBELLTOWN: Lineaweavers Mill, located to east of the Rising Sun Hotel, Campbelltown, was under water in 1912. Adam Lineaweaver owned the grist and flour-mill situated along Spring Creek, a tributary to the Swatara. The mill closed by 1914 about the time that farmers began to purchase their own stationary gasoline engines and grinders to produce feed for the cattle and other animals on their own farms. CLEONA: Long Mill PA-038-016 south of Cleona PA. (a. k. a. Boyer Mill, Meyer Mill. Private Residence. (SPOOM) CORNWALL: The Cornwall Mill next to an iron bridge that carried Cornwall and Lebanon Railroad cars over the tracks of the Cornwall Railroad, circa 1940. October 14, 1964 was the date of the last trip of the Cornwall Railroad, after which it was leased for a few years, then sold to the Reading Company. The Cornwall Mill, built 1798, was razed in 1960, having deteriorated through lack of use and maintenance. ( A Post Card History)EAST HANOVER: Hedrich DG, Dealer in Flour, Feed and Grain. Milling Business in genl. Mill and res, Lemberger Dist. PO East Hanover. (1) Dutters Mill (Dotter), west of Marquette Lake, area 17 IGMR. A grist mill mentioned in the Blue Eyed Six Book. (Ditzler) Himmelberger, J. Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Flour, Feed, grain, &c; Grist Mill &c. Mill and Res, in Rank Dist. PO East Hanover (1) Brigadier-General John Harrison, who represented Lebanon County in the state senate and house of representatives, owned a fulling mill for woolen manufacture at East Hanover then. It is said to have been the first woolen factory in the county and to have been located near Lembergers church on property now owned by IL Bowman estate. A paper mill was also operated at East Hanover in 1805. (2, p 279-280) Mish Mill PA-038006, (a. k. a. Snyders Mill) non-operating. On Old Mountsville-Ono Rd., about .5 mile west of Route 72. Best reached from Mountsville-Union Waterworks Road. Brick building. Fire destroyed the original mill in November 1857 prompting the organization of the Jonestown Fire Company. (SPOOM) HEIDELBERG: Phillippy, John S. Farmer and owner of 92 acres of land, well laid out, so that the Cattle can pass from the barn to any field, by means of a lane. He is also the inventor of, and holds the Patent right for the farmers Grinding Mills. PO Reistville, Lebanon co. (1) JONESTOWN: The old mill was such an important part of every household in the 17th & 18th century. It stood along the Little Swatara Creek at the foot of Mill Street. The four-story brick mill was variously known over the years as Walters Mill, Weidmans, Copes, Mecks, and Moores. Built by Franklin Walter in 1860, the mill stood about fifty feet from the site of Peter Sholly s old frame overshot mill that was destroyed by fire in 1860. In 1779 the land was owned by George Heilman and later purchased by Peter Sholly. This Mill probably predated the Revolutionary War. This brick mill was the first in the country to be equipped with turbine. It had three burrs, two for flour, one for grist, having a capacity of one barrel per hour. Each Tuesday and Friday the mills two-horse team delivered grist. A toll from each bushel was taken for grinding. The flour was packed in wooden barrels, 196 pounds to a barrel, labeled and taken to Lebanon for shipment. After the 72 flood, it was torn down. Other local mills were Shueys Mill, north of Harpers operated from 1907 to 1974; AA Spannuths Mill near Frystown 1760- 1982 spanning four generations; the George Miller Mill near Millbach 1784 operated 200 years; Weidmans Mill at Lickdale 1883 1920; Casper Kohr Mill on Elizabeth Run near Shirksville 1762- 1830; and Mishs Mill 1840 along the Swatara Creek near Bunker Hill. (Isele) Miley Mill, ½ block north of Jonestown High School, south Lancaster Street, active until 1940s. A wooden structured grist-mill, Now converted to apartments. (Isele) Reich Mill southwest section of the Borough near Water Street. A wooden structure owned by Dr. Reich. (Ditzler) LEBANON BOROUGH: Reinoehl & Meilys Planing Mills and Lumber Trade: Ranking first among the industries and manufacturing of Lebanon, is the well-known firm of Reinoehl & Meily, who are engaged extensively in the lumber trade, having connected with their lumber yard a large and commodious planing mill. They are located on North 9th St., and along the southern banks of the Union Canal, for several squares, occupying 4 ½ squares. This large and flourishing business, which the present proprietors enjoy, had its origin some 45 years ago. Adolphus Reinoehl and Chas. H. Meily, and Messrs. E. & J. McCreary, of Middletown, built an extensive saw mill at that place, with half-interest each, with a capacity of sawing 8,000 feet timber a day. This mill was conducted steadily along with their lumber and coal business here, up to July 1873, when it was destroyed by fire. Undaunted by misfortune, another and much larger mill was erected by the first of November following, with a capacity of sawing from 25,000 to 30,000 feet of building timber a day. The machinery in this mill was driven by a 60-horse power engine, and employs regularly from 20 to 30 men. There are also two dry docks, a large basin for harboring their logs, and other buildings belonging to the mill, which adjoins the Pennsylvania Railroad and canal, and the Swatara Creek, the entire property consisting of about fourteen (14) acres. The large stock of square lumber required by the extensive trade of the firm, is purchased at and near Lock Haven, and floated down the Susquehanna to the mill. Purchasing from first hands, enables them to furnish lumber at the lowest market rates. In order to meet the demands of a steadily increasing business, they erected a large and extensive planing mill in the Borough of Lebanon, on North 8th street, adjoining the Union Canal. This mill contains all the modern improvements necessary for the manufacture of articles in their line, Its convenience for the workmen, facilities for transportation, and its location, surrounded by ample grounds for their extensive lumber yardoccupying 4 ½ squaresreveals the foresight of the builders, and gives it a second to none in the country. Two important features cannot pass unnoticed, viz. 1st. The fan which conveys all the saw-dust and shavings, by means of pipes, from the machinery of every floor, with powerful force, to the shaving-house, where they are used for fuel.
Lumber seasoned by this process is not affected by dampness, and is superior to lumber seasoned by other processes. Their annual purchase of lumber amounted to from 4,000,000 to 6,000,000 feet. (1, p 7) 7TH Street Strickler Mill, at first known as Wolfs clover mill. A flour and grist-mill was put into operation in March 1867. It continued operation by Abraham Stickler until May, 1882, then leased by him to sons Cyrus P. and WH Strickler. May 8, 1899 the mill burned, but was immediately reopened with a new building. (Quittaphilla) Strickler mill, North 9th St, formerly the Leitz mill, and bought by George Strickler in 1836. The first mill on the Quittapahilla to introduce steam power. (Quittapahilla) Brandts Mill PA-0380023. 803 Maple St., Lebanon PA. Now known as Brandts Mill and Saddlery Shop. Once used water from the Union Canal. In 1848 it was converted to steam power. Reference OMN; "Old Mills in the News", fall 1974, pp. 13. (SPOOM) Flour was milled until the late 1960's, but animal feed is manufactured to this day. (Fred Brandt, owner) Brightbill, John. Manufacturer of Separators, Horse-power Double and Single Corn Planters. Horse Rakes. Grain Drills, Corn Plows, Corn Shellers, and all kinds Agricultural Implements and Mill work. All kinds of Mowers and Reapers Repaired. John Brightbill, Machinist, 7th St., north of Cumberland St. Owner of 97 acres in Bethel twp. (1) LONDONDERRY: This township, lying more towards the interior, was not so much exposed as the more Northern, to the incursions of the Indians. Nevertheless, they penetrated into the more sparsely settled parts, and committed several murders, and made abductions. June 19th, 1757, nineteen persons were killed in a mill on the Quittapahilla Creek . (1) MILL CREEK: The first mill, which still stands, was built at Millbach, the second was built at Jerringtons Hill by Philp Kalbach, about 1800. (1) Illig, ER Farmer and Miller, Millbach. Lebanon co, PA. Farm of 60 acres. Dwelling House built 1752. Mill in 1778. (1) Bollinger, Cyrus, Miller and Dealer in Grain, Res and PO Sheridan (1) Cherington TD, Mountain Spring Mills, 60 acres, Millcreek twp. (1) MOUNT GRETNA: Coleman Mill PA-0380021 at Colebrook furnace, 3 miles west of Mt. Gretna. The mill is the only survivor of the furnace complex, and is now owned by the PA Game Commission. (SPOOM) NORTH AND SOUTH LEBANON, AND CORNWALL: The Sunnyside homestead remains, but the mill is gone John Casper Stoever, Lutheran minister, engaged in the milling business at Sunnyside between 1737 and 1740. (2) Heilman, Henry S., Prop. Of Sunnyside Mills, Steam and Water power, Lebanon PA. Dealer in Flour, Grain & Feed, and Sawyer of all kinds of Lumber. Also, owner of Sunnyside farm, consisting of 125 acres limestone land. Farm and Mills situated on the Berks and Dauphin turnpike, about 1 1/2 miles west of Lebanon. (1,p 77) The Heilman Family: Later in life, in 1793, he built a paper-mill for his son Adam, and wife Eve. By them the manufacture of paper was carried on for many years. The quality of paper turned out at this mill was as good as the knowledge and progress of the time then admitted, so it was largely in demand, and for a long time the State Department in Harrisburg received from this mill all its writing paper for official purposes. (1) Built around 1790 by John Stoever, son of Rev. John Casper Stoever. Sold to Samuel Light, then John Light, Homer Snavely, and finally, Joseph G. Heilman. May 25, 1838 the southern wall fell down. It was rebuilt on September 29. April 10, 1845 the mill was destroyed by fire. When rebuilt, a saw-mill was attached. (Quittaphilla) Long, Henry L. Farmer, and Contractor in Lumber. On the Snitz Creek about 2 miles west of Lebanon, near the Berks and Dauphin turnpike. Farm contains 60 acres limestone land with improvements. Also, owner of Portable Steam Saw Mill. Lumber of various kinds sawed at reasonable prices. (1) Boyer, Isaac. Farmer and Miller. Res. And Mills on Quittapahilla Creek about 2 miles west of Lebanon on Berks and Dauphin turnpike. Dealer in Flour, Grain, and Feed, and sawyer of various kinds of Lumber. (1, p 77) Kapp, Elias. Farmer and one of the inventors of the Kapp & Sellers Wind Mills. Also, Master of Iona Grange, No 120. PO Iona. (1) Zeller, DR. Farmer and Stock raiser. Also, Dealer in stock. Also, one of the inventors and builders of the celebrated Kapp & Zellers Wind Mill, PO Iona. (1) Horst Jonas WH. Farmer, residing near Horsts Steam Grist Mill, South Lebanon Twp. PO Lebanon. (1) Horst Samuel S. Miller. Owner and Propr of Horsts Steam and water-power Grist Mill, situated about 5 miles south-east of the borough of Lebanon, and 4 miles west of Schaefferstown. The mill is one of the best custom stands in this part of the State. Also, owner of over 19 acres of good farming land in south Lebanon twp. PO, Schaefferstown. (1) Stover Mills - PA-038-003 Lebanon PA (a. k. a. Freeport Mills) Non-operating. Location 2.5 miles north of Lebanon on Pine Grove St., west side. Red brick building. A conventional type grist mill with saw mill attached. ½ story Oliver Evans patent flour mill, built c. 1840. The flour mill used the water through an undershot wheel and then its tail race under the roadway passed the water on to the grist mill and saw mills. The grist mill is still standing, but the flour mill was torn down several years ago. There was a covered bridge nearby. (SPOOM) Zinns Mill, along the Snitz Creek near Quentin. The mill was torn down in 1949. The stone house has been remodeled and is now a Bed and Breakfast named Zinns Mill Homestead. (Ditzler) SWATARA: It was well supplied with water power, mills, &c. The Big Swatara is the dividing line between Swatara and Union townships their entire length. The Little Swatara crosses the townships a little south of the Borough of Jonestown, and in its course across the township, it propels two grist-mills and saw-mill now owned by JF Foswocht, Esq. The second one is owned by F Walter, esq., just within the borough limits of Jonestown. (1) Sarge Mill PA-038-04, .5 mile northeast of Bunkerhill PA in the Jonestown area. (SPOOM) Walters Mill PA-038-005, Bunkerhill, PA. Also Moore (a. k. a. Mecks Mill) is non-operating. East of the bridge on the Jonestown-Bunkerhill Rd. Brick building. A turbine was once used to generate electricity. (SPOOM) The brick grist-mill built by Franklin Walter in 1860 was known as Copes Mill. Previously it was known as Weidmans, and in the 1920s, as Mecks, when owned by John Meck. The mill no longer stands, but the house to its left does. Since the mills days, area residents remember this as Moores chicken farm. An earlier frame overshot grist-mill near this site had been destroyed by fire in 1860. East side of Little Swatara, south of Jonestown, southeast of Moores Mill, formerly owned by Harry Dissinger. (Ditzler) Built around 1919, an iron bridge replaced a covered and wooden bridge over the Little Swatara Creek. East of the creek, prior to 1900, stood both a grist and saw-mill. UNION: Walter & Capp. Jonestown Mills. Dealers in Grain, Flour and Feed. Warehouse in Union Twp. At the Railroad Mill in Jonestown borough, Lebanon, Pa, Jonestown (1) Union Forge Mill PA-038-07, Lickdale PA at the crossroads with Route 72. Stone building, part of the Union forge complex. (SPOOM) Original wooden structured mill was in place by 1798 when Robert Coleman purchased the Forge proper from Peter Grub. The stone grist-mill was built by John Lick in 1883. (Ditzler) Yost Grist Mill, built in 1883, was purchased in 1905 by C. W. Yost of Steelton, Dauphin County. Mr. Yost milled flour there until 1920 when he lost his life. The sleeve of his topcoat got caught in the wheels. Today, the ruins of this limestone mill can be seen along Pa route 72 at the Lickdale Road intersection. (Ditzler) Alberts Mill, west-side of Swatara, south of old Route 22. Later this wooden structure became a boat- house in the days of the Union Canal 1826-1862. (Ditzler) Elias H Gerhart, along west side of Swatara Creek, north of old Route 22. A wooden structure, grist mill, 1903 to 1999. (Ditzler) Herr Mill, south side of old Route 22, next to railroad. Currently in operation. A wooden structure built in 1954 by John & Hilda Herr. The previous building on this site was built in 1875 and used as a warehouse. (Ditzler) DAUPHIN COUNTY MIDDLETOWNFrey's grist mill, Middletown. Built around 1760 by John Fisher, later sold to George
Frey. The Mill Street Mill, wood structure, water powered, building converted to apartments. (Ditzler) Felty Mill, east of Red Arrow gas station. Active. (Ditzler) Berger Mill, built about 1862 after construction of Berger Dam as part of the Union Canal. (Ditzler) 1830 - Daniel Rondebach built a forge which manufactured hardware and farm tools, located on the lower Little Swatara, it derived its power from a large overshot waterwheel. (Black Rock) Michael Bretz, one of the militia captains, was the son of Casper Bretz, who built the first grist mill on the Little Swatara near Rock. (Pine Grove) p59 Almost from the beginning of the township, sawmills were erected at convenient points along the Swatara and its tributaries, where logs of white pine and hemlock were sawed into boards twelve and sixteen feet in length.... There were at least eight sawmills in the region now comprising Pine Grove, Wayne, and Washington Townships before the American Revolution. The tax return for Berks County for the year 1779, shows the Pine Grove township had nine sawmills, one tannery and two grist mills. Baltzer Smith established a grist mill and sawmill on Swopes Creek about a mile southeast of the borough about 1769. It was located on the old Nutting or Brookside farm which is now in the possession of the Miller family. The mill was one of the largest in this section and was patronized by settlers within a radius of thirty miles. The foundation of the old mill was remained intact until a few years ago, and traces of it still remain. During the American Revolution a powder mill was erected near the grist mill. It was operated for several years and manufactured power for militia supplies. (Pine Grove) p64 Adam Smith abandoned the powder mill in 1786, and converted the building into a cooper and coffin shop. The mill was a great congregating place and the scene of many pranks. Valentine Heberling was interested in a sawmill, located near the railroad arch of the Schuylkill and Susquehanna branch of the Philadelphia and Reading railroad on what is now known as the Glohr farm. A weir was erected east of the bridge of the Little Swatara at Marstown and a canal conducted the water to the mill. The mill race emptied into the Swatara near the present railway arch. Heberling was also the first mill operator to run a shingle mill. The Heberling mill passed out of the hands of the Heberling family upon the death of Valentine. It was operated as a saw mill for a period of years by Jonathan Zimmerman, who, with the assistance of his son, William, conducted the business. When they abandoned the mill it remained idle for several years; The old mill and water privilege was later purchased by Christian Ley who remodeled the structure and converted it into a carding mill, utilizing the water power to operate it. The business of carding wool and flax was carried on at the mill for many years. There was a sorting shed for the wool at the end of the building where it was scoured before going onto the card. After the wool was carded it was returned to the farmers for spinning and weaving. Members of the Zerbe family erected a saw mill on the Roedersville road previous to the Revolution and operated it for more than seventy years. Soon after the opening of the Union Canal a boat yard was conducted in connection with it. Orders were given to the mill owners for a boat, and when it was finished it was placed on a hay wagon and carted to Pine Grove where it was placed in the canal basin. The Zerbe mill was located on the upper branch of the Swatara. A dam was erected east of the mill site and the water was conveyed to the power wheel though a short canal. The mill acquired distinction in another way. It was the congregating place for the farmers and woodsmen of that section. Here the men folk would gather for their wrestling matches and turkey shooting contests.... Two prominent mills operated in the early days of the township were owned by John Lengle and John Shucker. At one time Lengle operated a mill at Outwood in the western part of the township. (Pine Grove) p65 A grist and saw mill was owned and operated by Frederick Schaeffer on Swatara Creek near Suedbuerg. This was probably one of the largest in the township. Schaeffer had extensive timber holdings on Swopes Mountain and carried on a considerable trade in dressed lumber with the Tulpehocken region. The first grist mill on the Little Swatara was built by Casper Bretzius near Rock. The building was a one-story structure and was constructed of logs. It was erected before the American Revolution and was widely patronized. During the Revolution it was used to grind grain for the use of the Continental Army, while it was encamped at Valley Forge. The mill stood near the covered bridge on the road leading from Pine Grove to Rock. After the death of Casper Bretzius, his son, Michael, who served as a captain of the Pine Grove company in the sixth battalion of Berks County militia during the Revolution, acquired ownership of the mill. He continued to occupy the original structure until about 1799, when it was torn down and replaced with a modern frame building. He conducted a milling and grain business in the new building until his death.... Michael Bretzious also built and operated a carding mill and cloth dressing establishment about 1824. It was located about three-quarters of a mile northeast of the grist mill. The mill was equipped with two carding machines, a foot-power spinning frame and a foot-power loom for weaving. This small textile mill was the most complete in Pine Grove township at the time. Michael Bretzious, Jr. operated the carding mill.... When he erected his new grist mill, practically all the machinery was of his own construction. He built most of the machinery used in the carding mill. Upon his death the properties passed to his son, who continued to operate both mills for a period of more than ten years. One of the pioneer millers in Pine Grove Township was John Adam Brown, a soldier of the Revolution. In 1790 he established a grist mill on the Little Swatara between Rock and Moyer's station. Brown's mill acquired prominence as a milling center and for generations it has served the residents of Washington Township. Ever since it was founded, it has remained in the Brown family. John William Kremer built the first saw mill in what is now Washington Township. He, too, served in the Revolution as a member of the Berks County militia. He built his mill between Rock and Moyer's Station and operated it for nearly thirty years. He was succeeded by his sons who operated it long after his death.... (Pine Grove) 66 One of the oldest grist mills in this region is the Roder mill at Roedersville. Title to the property was given to John Graft of Tulpehocken by Godfried Rehrer, who kept a tavern at Rehrersburg in Berks County.... It late became the property of Conrad Roeder...(who) came to Pine Grove township soon after the Revolution and erected a mill of logs about 1785. It was rebuilt about 1849, and enlarged in 1872. The property has remained in the Roeder family continuously since it was built..... A large saw mill and grist mill was erected in North Pine Grove about 1786 by Christopher Uhler of Lebanon. The mills were located on a race-way east of the covered bridge on the old Tremont road. They were of rough log construction. These mills, together with another saw mill which Uhler owned in the township, were sold to Daniel Zerbe, who operated them for a period of years. The mills in later years were acquired as part of the Battorf farm and were known as the Battorf mills. (Pine Grove) p67 The first grist mill erected in Pine Grove village was built by Philip Gerdel in 1810, and was located on Swatara Creek, near the present site of Fegley's mill. It was built of hewn logs and was two stories high. Gerdel operated it for several years and then sold it to Daniel Rondebach, who possessed it for five years and sold to Conrad Reber. It remained in the latter's possession a number of years and was then sold to Peter Eckert who enlarged and improved it. Eckert disposed of his interest to Lebi Miller who operated it until 1848 when he sold it to Enoch Moore. The mill remained in Moore's possession until 1852, when he sold to Charles Fegley. Moore remained as miller for Fegley for a number of years. The old mill building had deteriorated greatly and was almost unfit for use when Fegley acquired possession. He operated it, however until 1858, when he tore it down and erected a larger one in place of it. This structure was swept away by the flood that followed the destruction of the big dam in June 1862. Immediately after the flood, Fegley built the present structure, which has virtually remained in the Fegley family since. A steam flouring and grist mill was erected at the corner of Wood and Carbon streets by Edward T Filbert of Stouchsburg, Berks County, a miller by trade, was employed as supervising miller. After operating the mill for more than twenty years, it was leased to AG Meck. The building was completely destroyed by fire during the early nineties, and never rebuilt. (Pine Grove) pp 119-120 The flour and grain business of the community has been associated with the grist mills that have operated in the borough and township for more than a century. The old Fegley mill and Berger's mill are the only two of importance in Pine Grove.... For many years, the business of milling was largely conducted by the owners of local grist mills, but during the past fifty years marked changes have taken place in the business. The general stores began to sell whole and ground grains and a number of feed stores were established. One of the first was conducted by AG Meck in the old factory building that stood at the corner of Mifflin and Maple streets. This store was established in the early nineties and was conducted for a short period. About the middle nineties, George Banger built a feed store and mill at the southerly end of Tulpehocken Street, where Zimmerman's garage is now located.. Mr. Banger operated a cider mill near the old Wagner saw mill at Stanhope. When he came to Pine Grove, he moved his cider mill to the new building. The grain business proved prosperous and the cider grinding popular. The mill, during the cider season, was the rendezvous for hundreds of farmers who brought their apples there to be converted into cider. (Pine Grove) p256 The most important privilege on the Upper Swatara was at Roedersville where Casper Roeder used the water power to operate his grist mill. Several saw mills also secured water power from the stream.. With the building of the Big Dam, these vanished. After the dam was destroyed, Berger's dam was erected and furnished water power to Berger's grist mill. Privileges were most numerous on the Lower Swatara, and its small tributaries. Beginning at Myer's Station and following the course of the stream westwardly, two grist mill privileges were located east of Rock The most important was that at Brown's mill. There were two at Rock. One was located near the village and the other about a mile distant. There was a privilege along the main stream at Stanhope and another on Stanhope brook where the Wagners operated a saw-mill for nearly a century. A weir spanned the Lower Swatara near the Marstown Bridge, and a mill race conveyed the water to a saw mill located on what is now the Glohr farm. There were tow privileges on Upper Swopes Creek and another on Lower Swopes creek near its confluence with the Swatara. Two privileges were located on Mill Creek. One of these was at the forge property and the other was located a short distance beyond. The ingenuity of the pioneer owners of saw and grist mills in producing power from streams that barely attract notice today is a tribute to their resourcefulness. The last of these mills was the Wagner mill at Stanhope. The structure remained intact until the early part of the present century. (Pine Grove) p281 The Lower Swatara was dammed a short distance above Stanhope forge. Directly below the dam was a large overshot waterwheel which was attached to the side of the building. Mr. Rondebach subsequently purchased the old grist mill, known in later years as Fegley's Mill, and sold his interest in Stanhope forge to Adam Brown who erected a furnace in conjunction with the forge. The furnace was built in 1844 by Enoch Moore, who lived on the Stanhope farm. (Pine Grove) p282 The first mill privileges on the Swatara and it tributaries were acquired previous to the American Revolution. The first one of importance, however, was that of Baltzer Smith, who erected a grist mill on Upper Swopes Creek in 1778. The second oldest mill was acquired by John Schaeffer on Swatara Creek near Suedburg. The tax returns of Pine Grove township for the year 1781 show that Michael Bretzius had a grist and sawmill near Rock. Jacob Dundore and Valentine Heverling had a privilege on the Lower Swatara, John S Lengel had a privilege n the Swatara, Jacob Myly had a sawmill and Frederick Schaeffer had a grist and sawmill. Andrew Riegel had a sawmill as did Daniel Zerbe, George Adam Zerbe and Jacob Zerbe also owned a sawmill. The mill owned by Daniel Zerbe was located on the Swatara. He later acquired the saw mills and grist mill established by Christian Uhler of Lebanon. This was known as the "upper privilege" and comprised the saw and shingle mill and the old grist mill formerly located near the covered bridge that crossed the Swatara on the old Pine Grove-Tremont Road. With the decline of the timbering industry just previous to the Civil War, many of the old sawmills that were operated by water power from the Swatara were abandoned. (Pine Grove) p283 Dr. JN Albert's father was a miller and operated a grist mill at Greble during his active life. After his father retired from business, he located with his son in Pine Grove where he died in 1903. (Pine Grove) p286 References: 1) County Atlas of Lebanon PA, FW Beers, published by FA Davis, 200 N 6th St., Reading PA and 10 N 5th ST., Philadelphia PA 1875. "Entered according to Act of Congress in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington" 2) A History of the Lebanon Valley in Pennsylvania by Dr. Hiram H. Shenk, Volume 1, published by the National Historical Association Inc., Harrisburg 1930 3) SPOOM the Society for the Preservation Of Old Mills, PO BOX 10, East Meredith, NY 13757. (2/23/95). Magazine 5444 Alpine Ridge, Stevensville MI 49127 4) Colonel Francis Ditzler & Dorothy H. Ditzler, local historians, RD1, Jonestown PA 17038, (717)865-4729.5) Evelyn Isele, local historian, 231 W. Market St., Jonestown PA 17038 (717)865-6894. 6) Jo Ellen Litz, RD2 Box 4144A, Jonestown PA 17038 (717)865-5468. 7) Larry Anderson [SMTP:landers@epix.net 8) Lebanon County: A Post Card History, The Lebanon County Historical Society, 1992. 9) Black Rock by George Korson (1960), Baltimore, the John Hopkins Press 10) History of Pine Grove, Schuylkill County PA, by Judge George B. Hass, First printing 1935, Second printing 1975, Seiders Printing, Pottsville PA. 11) Fred Brandt, owner Brandt's Mill, 630 N 9th St., Lebanon PA 17046 (717)272-6781 MILLS BY CREEK: County Atlas of Lebanon PA, ELIZABETH RUN N to S - Fredericksburg to Little Swatara
LITTLE SWATARA CREEK W to E
DEEP RUN
SNITZ
QUITTAPAHILLA E to W
BRANDYWINE
BIG SWATARA
INDIANTOWN RUN
UNNAMED TRIBUTARY TO SWATARA W OF INDIANTOWN RUN [ Home ] [ Contents ] [ Watershed Links ]
|