Lykens Valley Roller Mills
Dauphin Co. | Pennsylvania | USA
Watersource: Wiconisco Creek.
Lykens Valley Roller Mills
From Millersburg on Pa 147 north of Harrisburg,turn right/east on Pa 209, going through Rife. Turn right on Shiffers Mill Road just before the Washington Twp. line, going 0.5 miles to the mill on the left at Wiconisco Creek.
The Lykens Valley Roller Mills, south of Pa 209 on Shiffers Mill/Mill Road 0.5 miles at the Wiconisco Creek.
The still operating feed mill was first a flour mill most probably built in the last quarter of the 19th century. The Shiffer family has owned and operated the mill since 1919 and are still in the feed business today at this location. *Update: The current owner/operator of the mill is Larry Shiffer, my brother-in-law, Eugene Shiffer's brother. Roland Bergner 06/08/2009*
The original frame structure is to the right, 40'X 48', ending at and including the cupola. The 40'X 21' addition appeared in the 1950's.
The tank along the east side of the mill is probably used to store molasses to mix into various livestock feeds or is a fuel oil tank needed to store heating oil for heating the mill's office, etc.
The mill was run by two water turbines until electricity was introduced into the mill when the 1950's addition was built. A water wheel was also used until the 1972 flood, which closed down the Millersburg Roller Mill to the east.
There is no better way to keep a mill in good repair than to be operating it day to day, seeing the things that need to be fixed, and giving them full attention. The Lykens Mill seems to be kept in excellent condition and should enjoy many more years of service to the local farmers. The miller's house is visible just beyond the mill on the left.
*Update: I am writing concerning the Lykens Valley Roller Mill ... known by local folks as "Shiffers' Mill" I am a daughter of one of the second generation operators and just wanted to fill in a few bits of info for you in the event you did not know. The one person now operating the mill is the third generation, and he has two adult daughters. It is not known what will become of the mill when the current operator/owner is no longer able to handle the business. It would be sad to see the mill close after three generations of labors of love to all the good people of the area and surrounding areas. Martha M. Shiffer 09/27/2010*