Saw and Grist Mills
Mills of several kinds existed from the earliest days of the county’s settlement. Every river and creek had at least one built along its banks. These mills were not only the commercial life of their neighborhoods, they were also places for farmers to exchange news and local information.
Mills of several kinds existed from the earliest days of the county’s settlement. Every river and creek had at least one built along its banks. These mills were not only the commercial life of their neighborhoods, they were also places for farmers to exchange news and local information.
A key part of Montgomery County’s agricultural economy in the 18th and 19th centuries, grist mills ground wheat and corn into flour and meal, to be used in making bread for families and for feeding livestock. Today, apart from the more than 30 streets that are named for mills, most of them exist only as ruins that have been uncovered in our parks. The following photographs are a collection of fascinating historical images of Montgomery County's lost mills taken by Lewis Reed between 1905 and 1910.
A key part of Montgomery County’s agricultural economy in the 18th and 19th centuries, grist mills ground wheat and corn into flour and meal, to be used in making bread for families and for feeding livestock. Today, apart from the more than 30 streets that are named for mills, most of them exist only as ruins that have been uncovered in our parks. The following photographs are a collection of fascinating historical images of Montgomery County's lost mills taken by Lewis Reed between 1905 and 1910.
Black Rock Mill
Black Rock Mill
Located along Seneca Creek on Black Rock Road off Germantown Road, this mill was built by Thomas Hilleary in 1815. It included a water-powered wheel and used three sets of millstones to grind wheat and corn. There was also a sawmill on site, which operated year-round, while the gristmill was mostly used following harvests.
Located along Seneca Creek on Black Rock Road off Germantown Road, this mill was built by Thomas Hilleary in 1815. It included a water-powered wheel and used three sets of millstones to grind wheat and corn. There was also a sawmill on site, which operated year-round, while the gristmill was mostly used following harvests.
The mill was constructed using local rubblestone and sandstone from around Seneca Creek. A large rock across from the mill site is said to be the namesake for the original land grant and, subsequently, the mill.
The mill was constructed using local rubblestone and sandstone from around Seneca Creek. A large rock across from the mill site is said to be the namesake for the original land grant and, subsequently, the mill.
Black Rock Road was actually built to serve the mill, and included a bridge over Seneca Creek. The grain had to be ground soon after harvesting-- bad roads and swollen creeks could not be a hindrance to farming operations. Because "all roads led to the mill" it was also a gathering place for the local farmers. In this way, mills were vital to the social and agricultural needs of a community.
Black Rock Road was actually built to serve the mill, and included a bridge over Seneca Creek. The grain had to be ground soon after harvesting-- bad roads and swollen creeks could not be a hindrance to farming operations. Because "all roads led to the mill" it was also a gathering place for the local farmers. In this way, mills were vital to the social and agricultural needs of a community.
Above: The two-story stone mill is set into the side of a hill beside Great Seneca Creek.
At left: Views of the bridge over Seneca Creek
Clopper Mill
Clopper Mill
On April 15, 1865 Clopper’s Mill became part of national history when George Atzerodt spent the night there while fleeing from Washington, D.C. after the assassination of President Lincoln. Atzerodt was part of the gang assembled by John Wilkes Booth to eliminate the heads of the U.S. government, specifically assigned to kill vice-president Johnson at the Willard Hotel at the same time as Booth assassinated the President. But Atzerodt lost his courage and instead made his way to Germantown.
On April 15, 1865 Clopper’s Mill became part of national history when George Atzerodt spent the night there while fleeing from Washington, D.C. after the assassination of President Lincoln. Atzerodt was part of the gang assembled by John Wilkes Booth to eliminate the heads of the U.S. government, specifically assigned to kill vice-president Johnson at the Willard Hotel at the same time as Booth assassinated the President. But Atzerodt lost his courage and instead made his way to Germantown.
Clopper Grist Mill was most active between 1850 and 1880. The arrival of the railroad and steam- powered mills had put an end to the water-powered mills by the early 20th century. Clopper Mill was purchased by the state in 1955.
Clopper Grist Mill was most active between 1850 and 1880. The arrival of the railroad and steam- powered mills had put an end to the water-powered mills by the early 20th century. Clopper Mill was purchased by the state in 1955.
Clopper Mill, as it appeared c. 1910
Muncaster Saw & Grist Mill
Muncaster Saw & Grist Mill
Joseph Elgar built a saw and grist mill on Rock Creek, later known as Muncaster Mill. Muncaster Mill was built in the early 1800s and closed in 1925 due to competition from more modern milling practices. It was burned to its foundation in 1935. Muncaster Mill was the last mill to operate in what is now Rock Creek Park. During its lifetime, the mill served 30–50 farmers in the area. There were three millstones, each designed for a specific grinding job: one ground unshelled corn for animal feed; one coarsely ground wheat, barley, and oats; and one ground fine flour. For many years, there was also a sawmill, operated by a water turbine.
Joseph Elgar built a saw and grist mill on Rock Creek, later known as Muncaster Mill. Muncaster Mill was built in the early 1800s and closed in 1925 due to competition from more modern milling practices. It was burned to its foundation in 1935. Muncaster Mill was the last mill to operate in what is now Rock Creek Park. During its lifetime, the mill served 30–50 farmers in the area. There were three millstones, each designed for a specific grinding job: one ground unshelled corn for animal feed; one coarsely ground wheat, barley, and oats; and one ground fine flour. For many years, there was also a sawmill, operated by a water turbine.
Bowman Brothers Grist Mill
Bowman Brothers Grist Mill
When the Bowman Brothers Mill was built in 1888, the gristmill flourished due to its location next to the newly established railroad station and led to an economic boom in the Germantown community. In about 1914, fire engulfed the old wood structure and the entire mill was lost. The Bowman brothers rebuilt almost at once. The new mill was then sold by the Bowman brothers to the Liberty Milling Company.
When the Bowman Brothers Mill was built in 1888, the gristmill flourished due to its location next to the newly established railroad station and led to an economic boom in the Germantown community. In about 1914, fire engulfed the old wood structure and the entire mill was lost. The Bowman brothers rebuilt almost at once. The new mill was then sold by the Bowman brothers to the Liberty Milling Company.
Hickerson Brothers Grist Mill
Hickerson Brothers Grist Mill
Hickerson Brothers Grist Mill on Rock Creek south of Veirs Mill Road operated from 1838-1880. The next generation of Hickerson brothers, Lindsay and Clarence, operated a steam-powered grist mill near the B&O railroad tracks from the mid to late 1920s.
Hickerson Brothers Grist Mill on Rock Creek south of Veirs Mill Road operated from 1838-1880. The next generation of Hickerson brothers, Lindsay and Clarence, operated a steam-powered grist mill near the B&O railroad tracks from the mid to late 1920s.
Veirs Mill
Veirs Mill
The original Veirs Mill was built by Samuel Clark Veirs sometime after 1838 on the 400-acre farm which Veirs acquired in that year about two miles south of Rockville, on Rock Creek; the farm was part of an original land grant called “Prevention”. The sixth mill to be built on Rock Creek, Veirs Mill operated for approximately 80 years. The mill is identified as “Rock Creek Mills” and was located to what is now the intersection of Aspen Hill and Veirs Mill Roads.
The original Veirs Mill was built by Samuel Clark Veirs sometime after 1838 on the 400-acre farm which Veirs acquired in that year about two miles south of Rockville, on Rock Creek; the farm was part of an original land grant called “Prevention”. The sixth mill to be built on Rock Creek, Veirs Mill operated for approximately 80 years. The mill is identified as “Rock Creek Mills” and was located to what is now the intersection of Aspen Hill and Veirs Mill Roads.