Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Updated: February 7, 2022

General Information about the different pages on this web site:

Pages on this web site contains information and pictures of Irwinton Mill (aka Anderson Mill), the nearby Hays Fording Double Arch Stone Bridge, the Witherspoon "Red" Covered Bridge, working model of a northern grist mill and a working model of a southern grist mill. Web Site also contain information about the Irwinton Historic District and the Hays Bridge Historic District taken with permission from two National Register of Historic Places Registration Forms. Information on these pages is generally about an area on or near Anderson Road and the Conococheague Creek in Montgomery Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

Irwinton Mill/Anderson Mill:

Irwinton Mill, now known as Anderson Mill, is located on Anderson Road in Montgomery Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The Mill was also known as the Anderson Mill, Anderson Grist Mill, Anderson Roller Mill, and Union Roller Mill.

The Anderson Grist Mill is situated along the West branch of the Conococheague Creek, on Anderson Road in Montgomery Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The mill, dam, waterwheels, and most of the machinery are operational and in good shape. Power for the mill is provided by the two turbine waterwheels turned from water of the Conococheague Creek. The Licking Creek feeds into the West branch Conococheague Creek about one-half mile up stream from the mill.

Original Mill was built in 1856 by the Irwin family. It burned down in 1840’s. The mill property was sold off the main Irwin property in 1840’s. J. W. Henkle built current mill in 1856 as shown on "Corner Stone" located left front corner of mill..

Mill has 4 levels (floors) and beginning at lower level to top level are referred to with multiple names. First level names are Cellar, First Floor, Basement, and Bottom Floor. Second level names are Main Floor and Second Floor. Third level names are Third Floor and Floor Above Main Floor. Fourth level names are Fourth Floor, Top Floor, Attic, and Garrett.

Nearby the mill and up stream on the same scenic Anderson Road is the Hays Fording Stone Arch Bridge over the Conococheague Creek and the Witherspoon's "Red" Covered Bridge over the Licking Creek. Next to the mill is the historic stone house of the Irwin sisters related to President Benjamin Harrison.

As a reminder a large amount of detailed information about this mill, Irwinton property in general and interesting historical information about surrounding area is on the Irwinton Historic District page of this web site. Hopefully duplication of information is kept to a minimum on this page.

Chester Anderson, great-grandson of Oliver Anderson purchased the 17-acre farm and grist mill in 1917. It was then known as Irwinton Mills. Chester operated the grist mill until failing health (early 1970's), then his youngest son, Harry, continued the business. The Mill is no longer operated as a business, and tours are rarely given and then are coordinated with self-insured groups/organizations.

Harry Anderson, Rollie Anderson, Rodney Anderson were presented the 1995 Preservationist of the Year Award given by the Franklin County Heritage, Inc. for protection and preservation of the mill at a dinner at the Antrim House restaurant in Greencastle, Pennsylvania.

Video of four different tours of the mill were created while most of the machinery in the mill were in operation. The four videos were created and put of DVD. Harry Anderson, Rollie Anderson, Rodney Anderson and Logan Horst each narrated one of the four tours. All are descendants of Chester Anderson. Each narrator either operated the mill or helped in the restoration and repair of the building and equipment.

Only one of the four DVD videos tours is currently available. This video was narrated by Rodney Anderson and updated with additional machinery during November 2019. This DVD can be obtained from Rollie Anderson by contacting him through email: andersonmccullohmccunefcpa@gmail.com The DVD can be picked up in the Greencastle/Mercersburg areas for a small donation or mailed for a small additional fee.

Rollie Anderson, son of Chester Anderson, has built two working Model Grist Mills. Both mills are powered by water and were frequently displayed at nearby public events.

The millstones on photographs located on each side of red gas pump in front of the mill were removed from the mill when the Attrition grinder was installed in early 1900. South side of gas pump has the top burr stone and north side has bottom burr stone. The turbine setting on the north side burr stone originally was used in the mill below the large turbine.

Following are photographs of the mill and nearby places provided by different family members and taken over several years.

The following Anderson Mill photographs were taken December 6, 2020 by Tanya Brown. Owner Harry Anderson decorated the mill for the 2020 Christmas season.