Fairview Roller Mill site
Lancaster Co. | Pennsylvania | USA
Watersource: Conestoga River.
Fairview Roller Mill site
Go west of Morgantown,Pa on Pa 23 for 2.6 miles, turning left onto Shirktown Rd. Travel 0.5 miles to Conestoga Creek Road, turn left and go to the mill directly ahead on the left.
This third mill at this location was built in 1816 by George Jenkins. The 45'x60' grist mill and saw mill stands 3.5 stories. Some owners down through the years are: 1802-1819, Geo. Jenkins; 1820-1824, William & Adam Hoar; 1844-1880's, John Hertzler; 1899-closing by John Z. Hertzler, then Edward F. Hertzler.
The mill itself apears to be located on an Amish farm. In 2004, the mill as reported to be deteriorating and not being kept in repair.
In 1969, the mill was being used as a chicken house even up through 1992. In 1994 it was being used as a barn and was in fair shape.
The mill was used as a flour and grist mill, and for corn meal grinding. From the beginning, itwas also operated as a saw mill. The headrace was of 1300' and the tailrace of 1000' with a fall of 10' from the intake to the headrace to the mill. Two turbines were employed to convert the water power to mechanical power.
*Update: The Fairview Roller Mill is in the process of being torn down. I don't have the details other than the roof has already been removed and the remainder of it is to eventually be dismantled and the stone used somewhere else. Mary E Spickler 03/22/2007*
The datestone reads C & J 1816 in a circular stone surrounded by bricks that fan out from the center. The stone is on the upper east side of the mill between the two sets of windows. *Update: This mill was taken down by Stoltzfus Enterprises, a builder in Elverson, PA. The builder is hoping to rebuild this structure as a 'new' home in the Olde Bulltown community in Elverson. Plans are to reuse all of the stone and as much of the other materials as possible. I used to work for Stoltzfus at Olde Bulltown Village, which is how I know this information. Christopher Lanser 06/02/2009*