The weaving mill was part of a textile mill complex, built in 1818-1820 by Col. James Steel at the confluence of Knott Run with the Octoraro Creek in Sadsbury Twp., Lancaster Co. This page is in updating condition!!

The cotton factory, four stories X 45'X 65' was just south of Knott Run with the weaving mill, 2.5 stories X 30'X 45' immediately below it, fed by the same headrace. The weaving mill had a large water wheel on the south side, fed by a wooden aquaduct or flume.

A budding stalk of vineberries with several blossoms open. The red berries, similar to blackcap raspberries but much softer and squishier, are quite good to eat. The fine stickers do not hurt, but are rather sticky to the touch. The berries originated from Japan and were established along the East Coast in the late 1800's.

The gable north end of the mill structure today as part of a private residence. The fall of 1832 saw James Steel offering for sale his Waste Land Cotton Mills located on the Octoraro Creek on 175 acres. in 1844, 219 acres half populated by Chestnut timber are offered at Lancaster Co. Sheriff's sale. The parcel consisted of: a cotton factory; weaving mill; two stone dwellings, one of which was part store; a large stone Swisser barn; ten stone worker's dwellings; six stables; a new stone grist mill with 2 run of buhr stones; a paper mill; and an excellent saw mill.

The grist mill, paper mill and saw mill may be the ones across the Octoraro Creek in West Fallowfield Twp. in Steelville, about one mile as the crow flies from the textile complex in Sadsbury Twp., Lancaster Co., but also owned by James Steel at this time. Or possibly there was also a grist, paper & saw mill included in the complex in Sadsbury Twp. The paper mill on the Chester Co. side would have closed down by 1840 but could still have been included in the sale package, probably being still operable. By 1858, the mills were known as Brogan's Factory and by 1860, were owned by Edward Dickinson. The mills ceased to operate by 1872, and the smaller mill was converted to a dwelling, used as a store, tavern, then became the dwelling of Andrew G. Specber. Still evdenced as a dwelling today.