Mill Details

Bear's Mill

Augusta Co. | Virginia | USA
Known Dates: log mill 1812, brick mill 1829, this mill 1908
Township: Churchville School Twp./Dist.
Watersource: Whiskey Creek.
Location / Directions

Bear's Mill

Take US 250 west from Staunton to the village of Churchville. Turn left onto Green Hill Lane/Sh 42. The mill is located behind the Bear Funeral Home at 14 Green Hill Lane/Sh 42 at Sh 836.

Bear's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/15/2008

Christian Bear Sr. arrived in 1809 to run a plantation for his father-in-law and to establish a cabinet making craft.

Bear's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/15/2008

In 1812, or possibly earlier, he built a log wood working mill, or took over operations of an existing log mill.

Bear's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/15/2008

The log frame mill was torn down in 1908 and the present structure was built on the same site using the same wooden wheel.

Bear's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/15/2008

A steel wheel was purchased in 1927. This wheel was 10.5' in diameter and 4' wide, purchased from the Fitz Water Wheel Co.

Bear's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/15/2008

After 3 years of work on the dam, head race, water wheel and a 15 horsepower engine, the mill was ready to go again in 2008.

Bear's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/15/2008

The earlier log mill also served as a carding mill and fulling mill.

Bear's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/15/2008

Christian Bear Jr. was the next operator, followed by his son Ephraim.

Bear's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/15/2008

In 1829, Christian added a second mill, a 3 story brick mill that served as a grist mill.

Bear's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/15/2008

The brick mill was torn down in 1926, and the bricks were used to build a new funeral home.

Bear's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/15/2008

Part of the old foundation of the brick mill can still be seen.

Bear's Mill
Robert T. Knsey 10/15/2008

Early in the 20th century the Bear Mill supplied electricity to the village of Churchville. The mill had been put out of commission in the 1990's by a flood.

Bear's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/15/2008

The water power part is ready for the 1908 wood-working mill to again operate; however, Bill Bear is 83 years old and still involved with the funeral homebusiness.

 
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