Rock Mill
Exterior
I am so amazed that a governmental agency, Fairfield County Historical Parks, actually took Rock Mill and rebuilt it. This took extreme cooperation between many individuals and let's not forget money. History is so important to our country in various different aspects. This structure, Rock Mill, was constructed with hand-hewn carpentry in 1824. The people of Fairfield County has taken the original structure and rebuilt and renewed the lap siding, roof, installed steel support beams, finished the interior, built shuttered-windows and stabilized the entire building for everyone to enjoy. We can appreciate Rock Mill 187 years later.
Headwaters of the Hocking Hills River. Waterfalls.
We were fortunate that it had rained the previous day and the waterfalls was just outstanding. Also it is very loud.
Looking out from the second level above ground, we see the waterfall and you can easily identify the pit created by the waterfall. It is very deep. I have heard that kayakers go through the stream, dive down with their kayak into the pit and then just bob up. Kayaking is a very cool sport but that is just too extreme for my tastes. If you are a kayaker, how deep do you think that pit is?
The imprint carved in the stone was used for the washing and cleaning of the wool.
The close-up of historical Rock Mill features in the flat bedrock in the gorge was carved for equipment used to wash and clean wool.
From this view, the falls is on the left and I am standing on the second ground level in the mill. You can see how deeply the gorge has been incised.
Gorge at Rock Mill
The entire area around Rock Mill is SPECTACULAR ! !
The blackhand sandstone around Fairfield County and Hocking County makes for some spectacular geological structures.
Here at Rock Mill we have an outstanding gorge and gorge pit as a result of the waterfalls. The unique blackhand sandstone is impervious to water. As such, water does not flow through the rock. However, over hundreds of thosands of years, water has perculated from the fields and woods and into the ultimately into the streams in Fairfield and Hocking Counties. As the water is directed through the streams, the power from the water actually scourers the top layer of the impervious rock. As a result, here at Rock Mill, we have a quite spectacular waterfalls. At the bottom of the falls is an impressive water pit. As you inspect the following pictures you can see how the water has carved the gorge immediately at the site of Rock Mill.
Rock Mill, Rock Mill Covered Bridge & Headwaters of the Hocking River Waterfalls. On the left you can see the steel beam that has been attached into and through Rock Mill in case the sandstone cliffs break free. If the cliff rocks were to crumble away, Rock Mill can still be stabilized upon the steel beam. Pretty Neat!
Giant cut-sandstone blocks found in the vicinity of Rock Mill.
Rock Mill Bridge spans the Hocking River and is 50 feet long The Hocking River is not a wide river at this point but it is deeply entrenchefd with blackhand sandstone. At the bridge site, the gorge drops forty to fifty feet. This area of the Hocking River drains the west-central section of Fairfield County. The Rock Mill Bridge is located on Rock Mill Road next to Rock Mill. Rock Mill was abandoned and was in sad deterioration at the time of this photograph. Since 1989, Rock Mill has been restored. This area of the Hocking River is its head waters and the water rushes through the gorge with tremendous power, supplying ample strength to power any mill. Rock Mill Bridge was built in 1901. This bridge replaced another covered bridge at this location built in 1849. The present Rock Mill Bridge was constructed with a queenpost truss. The bridge has been well-maintained with a shingled roof, white plank siding and white painted truss members. Characteristic of several Fairfield County covered bridges, Rock Mill Bridge has a long window, full length, with the interior of the bridge, protected by a canopy. The bridge is a single span and is supported by cut stone abutments. Rock Mill Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of only two mill and covered bridge combinations left in Ohio as of 1989. Source: Covered Bridges Today by Brenda Krekeler Published by Daring Publishing Group 1989