Frank's Mill / Shutterlee's Mill
Augusta Co. | Virginia | USA
Watersource: Bell Creek at Middle River.
Frank's Mill / Shutterlee's Mill
Go about 6 miles west on US 250 from US 11 at Staunton, Virginia. Angle right on Sh 732, go about 2 miles to the bridge over Bell Creek near the junction of Sh 728 & Sh 732. The mill is close to the junction.
A 3.5 story frame mill with a gable roof and covered in asbestos siding, perhaps, one of the reasons the mill is still standing. No one wants the job the job of handling the hazardous asbestos siding waste necessary to take it down an the expense involved in the removal and proper disposal of the siding. A turbine was in place in 1989.
On December 1970, W. H. Frank, owner of the mill since 1944, terminated the flour operation after approximately 170 years of continuous grinding. It is believed that George Hanger built this mill in the early 1800's. When George died in 1844, the mill became the property of his son Robinson Hanger. In January 1860, Robinson conveyed his residency, mill, and land, known as Hanger's Mill, to John Schutterlee. Upon his death in 1898, John Jr. purchased the mill. When A. E. Berry purchased the mill in 1908, the first grinding rolls were installed.
G. A. Frank bought the mill in 1917 and operated it until 1933; at which time, he brought his son into the business as a partner. W. H. Frank became the sole owner in 1944 after his father's death. Frank made many improvements through the years including some modern machinery; however, most of the original machinery was still in use when it closed.