Harford Co. | Maryland | USA | Original mill 1760, current mill 1794.
Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 03/08/2009
This mill was erected by John Stump in 1794. Stump also built the Rock Run Mill across the Susquehanna River at Port Deposit about the same time, 1797,and the Stump Grist Mill at Point Perry on the grounds of the Point Perry Naval Hospital just south of the town of Perryville in Cecil Co.
Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 03/08/2009
Two canal locks reside within the parks boundaries. The Canal functioned well until 1889, when a combination of floods and the railroad forced its closure. Prior to 1818, the lower Susquehanna was crossed only by fording at shallow locations during low water or by a ferry.
Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 03/08/2009
A section of the Susquehanna & Tidewater Canal runs between the mill and the river. The canal, built in 1836, connected Havre de Grace, Maryland and Wrightsville, York Co., Pa.
Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 03/08/2009
The three story mill, full of 19th century mill equipment and farming displays, is fully operational, being operated during the summer months in conjunction with visitor traffic through the mill displays.
Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 03/08/2009
The penstock crosses the road to dispense water through the distribution box onto the top-dead-center of the overshot wheel.
Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 03/08/2009
The large replica waterwheel of the original, about 18" wide and 18' in diameter, weighs 24,000 pounds; but, it only takes 2 pounds of force to turn it, grinding grain using the French 'buhrstones'.
Picture: Robert T. KInsey 03/08/2009
The remnants of the canal, a major commercial waterway with mules pulling barges north and south until 1890, lies just to the right of the picture.
Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 03/08/2009
The 14 room stone mansion, the Rock Run House, built in 1804 by John Stumps mill partner, John Carter sits on a hill overlooking the barn & mill lower downhill.
Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 03/08/2009
Carter died the next year and Stump's daughter and husband, Dr. John Archer took possession. Son, James J. Archer, was a Confederate General in the Civil War.
Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 03/08/2009
The springhouse at the Rock Run complex still runs cold, clear spring water.
Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 03/08/2009
The barn, situated below the Rock Run Mansion, is about halfway between the mansion and the mill.
Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 03/08/2009
A mill shaped stone barn and a stone spring house complete the "L-shaped" mansion.
Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 03/08/2009
A frame toll house at the end of Rock Run Road served as a fee collection station for the Rock Run Covered Bridge that spanned the river from 1818 until 1856, when an ice jam took many sections of the bridge away. The bridge was one of the longest covered bridges in the United States in its day and ever since.
Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 03/08/2009
The complex, restored in 1965, is open for tours from May 1 through Labor Day, with meal being ground and given, bagged, to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Reservations for mansion tours can be made: Rocks/Susquehanna State Parks at 410-557-7994. GPS: 76' 08.34W, 39' 36.31N
"Praise our God! His deeds are wonderful, too marvelous to describe."
Psalm 150:2 CEV
Supply Update Information
Directions:
From US Hwy 1/Conowingo Road, exit south onto Md 161/Trappe Church Road. Go about 0.7 miles to Darlington and bear left on Shuresville Road. When Shuresville Road turns left keep straight on Stafford Road for about 5.5-6.0 miles to the mill in Susquehanna State Park at the junction with Rock Run Road. |
