Albright's Feed Mill
Berks Co. | Pennsylvania | USA
Watersource: Kistler Creek, then electricity
Albright's Feed Mill
East of Pa 143 on Pa 737, turn left on Kistler Valley Road. The mill is right along the old RR tracks.
Albright's Feed Mill, Kempton, Pa. located about in the center of Albany Township, Berks County. The mills first origins are sketchy, although Daniel Dietrich sold the business to Mahlon Dietrich in 1887. Mahlon operated the mill through 1913.
The feed mill as seen in 2006, was once a warehouse for potatoes. The Kistler Valley was a large potato growing area earlier in the 20th century and many crops of potatoes were shipped out from this point.
The mill was once part of the M.C. Dietrich's Department Store in the very early 1900's. The Albright family assumed ownership in 1919, with Robert Albright taking the helm in 1939. He died 2 years later, but his widow continued to run the mill into 1964.
The back side of the mill showing many open but covered bin areas. In 1964,the mill was taken over by Robert G. & Ronald R. Wessner as is attested to by the sign in this photo, Albright's Mill: Feed & Grain since 1964.
The opposite end of the rear of the mill. The various cylindrical bins provide an important part in the mixing of various types of feeds and blended formulations for the local farmers such as; laying mash, cracked corn, horse feed, rabbit feed, and many other specialized customer blends of feeds.
The end of the mill next to the miller's house. Notice the stone walls to the left of center, part of the foundation of the mill building that bears the cupola on the roof.
Albright's Mill miller's house beside the mill and built in 1868-78.
This is the front view of the previous foundations of stone picture. The miller's house, built in 1878, is just visible on the right edge of the photo.
A little bit of the mill store, stocking all sorts of products commonly found in farm and feed supply stores. The unique feed mill/general store put the mill on the second floor connected to the first floor via a ramp in 1978. The post Office for Kempton also used to be housed at Albright's Feed Mill, hence the logo on the interior store door.
A painting done of Albright's Mill about 1970. The emphasis in 2006 is feed & grain mixing, blending & grinding. Since the 1964, much grain is bought and sold, with grain drying and storage facities added in the late 1960's, seen on the left of photo #2.