McGinnis Grist Mill
Carroll Co. | Maryland | USA
Watersource: Little Pipe Creek.
McGinnis Grist Mill
South from Taneytown on Md 194/Francis Scott Key Hwy for about four miles. The mill will be on the right just before the Carroll/Frederick Co. line, if you go into Fredrick Co, you've gone too far.
ADC Carroll Co, MD map 16-grid D13 (which is the inset on map 16). GPS: 77 14.53W, 39 35.51N
According to local tradition, John Diffendall built a slab grist and saw mill on the right bank of Little Pipe Creek, 500 yards west of the present McGinnis Mill. In 1799, he built the large stone mill which passed to his son Samuel Diffendall.
The 1862 Martent County map shows Samuel McGinnis as the mill owner. Another report shows that John P. Boyle purchased the mill on Sept. 1862 for $7,500.
However, Boyle and his wife sold it to Samuel T., John L., and Francis A. McGinnis. The 1877 atlas shows W. L. McGinnis and Bros. as owners.
The 1880 census of Manufactures listed a William McGinnis custom mill. In the summer of 1880, William advertised the mill for sale. At this time the mill was powered by a 36" turbine waterwheel. George F. Steinbrenner, of Baltimore purchased the mill for $10,000.
In 1885 Steinbrenner sold it to Dennison Reeside, who sold it to Dr. M. Hammond in 1887. Hammond mortgaged the mill to Eliza M. Simmons in 1889. Mrs. Simmons sold the mill to James A Schildt in 1900. Schildt's widow sold it to Augustine Blume in 1914. Blume's heirs conveyed it to Benjamin L. Blessing. In 1976 the owner was Frank Blessing.