This mill represents what remains of Bel Air's only 19th century industry. The office building and mill also have the only well preserved Mansard roofs in town. The mill building was built in 1886 on land leased from Mary Dallam by Henry Reckord. The mill was opened for business early in November of that year, selling fertilizer, feed, and flour at rock bottom prices.

The machinery was powered by a steam engine made by the Taylor Manufacturing Co. of Chambersburg, Pa. It had the capacity to grind 100 barrels of flour in 24 hrs. The entire operation was run by one miller and 2 assistants. The mill was built 40' X 60' with the grain storage building to be built later. The grain storage building and the office were in place by 1904.

The mill stayed in the Reckord family until 1957 when Milton A. Reckord sold it to H. Smith Walter for $40,000 and repair costs. Walter had leased the mill since 1953, renaming it Bel Air Farm Supply. Walter made many improvements including: new warehousing, an office addition, two new upright mixers, and aluminum siding for the mill building. In 1979 the mill was still grinding feed, while Walter continued to operated the mill into 1986.

In 1986, H. Smith Walter's grandson purchased the real property and business, renovated the store, enlarging the retail aspect of it, as well as the warehouse, and feed mill. *Update: This mill (yellow buildings) was torn down, in July-August 2010. It took over a month to tear it down as it was dismantled by Amish workers who dismantled it carefully in order to salvage the wood for reuse. Better date for dismantling given by Greta Hittle 05/14/2011.The Farm Supply operates today in the newer building shown at the intersection in this picture. Bob Amos 03/04/2011

In 1997, Bel Air Farm Supply won the Appearance & Preservation Committee Award and the Archer-Bull Award for the renovation & preservation of the old Reckord Mill.

😢Before being dismantled in July-August 2010, the Mill of Bel Air continued to grind about 25-30 tons of feed/day and the current feed store carries a variety of products for everyone including, equine supplies and feeds, dairy & livestock feed & minerals, pet supplies, wild bird seed & feeders, lawn & garden supplies, farm fencing, clothing, & much more.