Mill Details

Kemp's Mill / Old Mill Tavern / Shingler Mill

Washington Co. | Maryland | USA
Known Dates: Probably late 1700's
Township: Abingdon First District.
Watersource: Conococheague Creek.

Location / Directions

Kemp's Mill / Old Mill Tavern / Shingler Mill

From Hagerstown, go west on I-70 to exit #24. Go south on Md 63 a short distance to Kemps Mill Road. Follow Kemps Mill Road south to the mill on the right at an intersection with Rock Hill Road.




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Verse for Thought
Jesus be Thou our glory now And thro' eternity. by Bernard Of Clairvaux
({From the hymnal - Sing to the Lord})
Kemp's Mill / Old Mill Tavern / Shingler Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 07/04/2010

The date of the building of this mill is not known. However, the stone work suggest it could be in the 18th century.

Kemp's Mill / Old Mill Tavern / Shingler Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 07/04/2010

A public sale notice of 1874 showed that improvements included a stone and frame flouring mill, 66' X 44', 3 stories high and 4 pair of stones that could produce 80 to 100 barrels of flour per day.

Kemp's Mill / Old Mill Tavern / Shingler Mill

I believe the Kemps Mill/Shingler Mill to be built by my many greats grandfather, Joseph Wohlgemuth in 1770. His widow, Catherine and his two sons, sold it in 1777 to Nicholas Swingler. Thank you so much for the pictures. Teresa Wilfred (daughter of Stephen Wolgamott) 09/27/2012

Kemp's Mill / Old Mill Tavern / Shingler Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 07/04/2010

The mill was in operation until 1936 when it was extensively damaged by a flood. The mill was owned by William H.C. Kemp and his family from 1878 to 1937. Prior to that, it was operated by Abraham Leiter who purchased it from Henry Ankeney in 1855.

Kemp's Mill / Old Mill Tavern / Shingler Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 07/04/2010

Ankeney purchased it from John Miller in 1838. Peter and Matthias Miller acquired the mill in 1810. Prior to this time it was owned by Nicholas and Benjamin Swingley. An atlas of 1794 showed a mill on this site owned by "Swingle".

Kemp's Mill / Old Mill Tavern / Shingler Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 07/04/2010

The view of the back of the mill as taken from the barscreen in the forgound. The barscreen served the purpose of screening out large chunks of debris and branches/keep them from entering the wheel or turbine area.

Kemp's Mill / Old Mill Tavern / Shingler Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 07/04/2010

The dam on the Conococheague Creek at the upstream edge of the mill.GPS: 39' 37.35'N, 77' 48.95'W ele. 361'/110 meters Hagerstown Quadrangle

Kemp's Mill / Old Mill Tavern / Shingler Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 07/04/2010

The headrace coming off the Conococheague on the upper side of the dam. The headrace comes off at at an angle towards the dam, to prevent excess current from racing down the short headrace.

Kemp's Mill / Old Mill Tavern / Shingler Mill
Robert T. KInsey 07/04/2010

The now broken out headrace as it approaches the back of the mill to engage either a waterwheel or turbines.

Kemp's Mill / Old Mill Tavern / Shingler Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 07/04/2010

A sporty New England stlye cupola adorns the main mill structure. These cupolas are quite common on Maryland and Adams County and Cumberland County, Pa. barns.

Kemp's Mill / Old Mill Tavern / Shingler Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 07/04/2010

GPS: 39D 37.22'N, 77D 48.58'W

 
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