Milford Lower Mill / Metz Ice Plant
Pike Co. | Pennsylvania | USA
Watersource: Sawkill Creek.
Milford Lower Mill / Metz Ice Plant
The mill is located on E. Harford St., at the Sawkill Creek, in the town of Milford, which is just north of the junction of US 209 & US 206. US 6 also figures into the equation.
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Milling at this site goes back to the 1750's. The original portion of the present building was built in 1868 as a water-powered grist mill, built about the same time as the Upper Mill. There is a water wheel inside the building.
From 1869 to 1920, the owners converted the mill and its machinery to produce wheels, wheel spokes, jelly and apple cider.
In the 1920's the mill was converted to make ice for residential and commercial customers. GPS: 41' 19.04'N, 74' 47.95'W 423'/129 meters Milford Quadrangle
The company's name was the Milford Ice and Refrigeration Co. Later it was used for cold storage. As the recreation industry and resorts grew in the area, so did the need for ice.
It was in continuous use until 1979 as the Metz Ice House, one of only 2 water powered ice houses remaining in the U.S.
The flume is no longer standing and the mill is not operating. At that time the mill was closed by the Federal Government for the Tock's Island Dam, which was never built.
The mill is now owned and neglected by the National Park Service, but is in fair condition.