This mill was built in 1744 by Richard Thomas. It was owned continuously by Thomas descendants during the entire period of operation, which lasted until 1940.

The Thomas family owned it until 2001. The stone and frame Thomas Mill, with riven shingle siding, is little altered from the original.

Most of the mill machinery, still intact despite long disuse, dates from c. 1850. Over the years, the Thomas Mill used water power to process corn, wheat, oats, and "plaster of Paris," and to power a saw mill. When it finally ceased commercial operations in 1935, it was functioning as a cider press.

In 1886, Templin Thomas modernized the mills operation with the installation of an improved water power system, and new machinery. The present wheel is believed to have been installed at this time.

The oldest machines in the mill are the mill stones and the associated gearing and framing supporting them. All of the other machines, such as the smut cleaner, middlings purifier, bolter, break and feed mill, are standard, mass-produced milling machines of the c. 1886 to 1910 period.

The back of the mill showing the shed over the water wheel for protection from the elements.

A closer view of the wheel placement against the stone foundation wall under the covering shed.

The present water wheel,a pitch-back wheel, is a cast iron one with wooden buckets. GPS - 75' 38.00 W, 40' 01.36 N

The miller's house adjacent to the mill seat location. The original headrace was an earth ditch. In 1886 Templin installed a cast iron pipe to direct the water under the highway.

Originally, the Thomas Mill was powered by water from Valley Creek. Eventually more power was needed. By the early 19th century, there is evidence that the mill was using water from ponds located north of the mill.