The 1846 mill near sunset, which gives a soft, rosey look to the old mill, built by George & Susanna Lefever. The original 43'X 57' limestone portion is 3.5 stories plus an attic in height. An attached poured concrete portion 35'X 50' stands 4.5 stories tall. This last mill was powered by an undershot wheel, in turn working 4 sets of French burrs. A buggy factory was operated next door and a post office was contained inside of the mill proper before 1900.

An early mill is believed to have been on the site before 1734 and operated by Emanuel Hare (Herr). This mill was owned by George Withers in 1793 and by Michael Withers from the mid 1790's to about 1815-1817. This 2nd mill, Withers' mill was said to be 43'X 57', 3 stories of stone was probably built around 1815 by Michael Withers This 45'X 60' mill was sold at Sheriff's sale in 1843 to George Lefever after failing to sell for a year from owner Adam Herr. Evidence of this 1st mill is located about 100 yds. east of the current mill- these old ruins are believed to have been a cider/saw mill.

In 1864, the owner of Lefever's mill was Jacob Zercher, J. Harnish in 1875, and Mrs. Harvey F. Haverstick in 1899. The mill, three houses, a barn & 22 acres were sold at Sheriff's sale again in 1900 to a Harold Hunsicker for $12,000.

Mr. Hunsicker installed two or three Leffel turbine and four Robinson Roller stands in 1905. The poured conrete addition was completed in 1915 to handle bulk storage. All work done by hand for an average wage of 13.5 cents/hour. The mill was sold in the early 1940's to Reid or J. Lloyd Shaeffer, who operated it until 1961. The flour, grist, saw, & cider mill had either a 1600' headrace or a 500' one, depending on the source of information, from a 6' dam, then returning to Pequea Creek using a 100 ' tailrace. Average flour production was 75 barrels/day.

The mill was operated as part of Lancaster Milling Co. from 1961 through 1981 using water power; then, it was sold to Roy & Helen Wagner. Improvements were done to the dam, raceways, headgate/spillway, and a Meadows Mill installed to grind buckwheat flour. In 1989, the mill was being used to generate electricity for Pa.Power & Light Co. Not sure if it is operating in 2006.

This is the mill pictured in 1889 when owned by Harvey F. Haverstick. The mill & miller's house were purchased by John & Karen Hofmeister from two different parties in 1996, with the intent to restore the mill.

This photo depicts the mill doing business in 1905 under the ownership of Harold Hunsucker. Check the official mill website above for more history & events planned. Also check this website: www.pennsylvaniafarmforsale.org/grist_mill.htm