The top photo shows the 40'x60', 4.5 story fieldstone/red sandstone merchant mill still in operation in November, 1987. The bottom photo was taken 12 years later in September 1999. From the difference between the views, it seems highly likely that this fine specimen of milling integrity may not have made it to the millenium. Good news, it did make it to 2006 and beyond.

Built in in 1868 by Joseph & Catherine Oberholzer on the north bank of the Conestoga River in East Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This is the site of the former Spring Grove Forge. Two turbines powered the mill to produce 20 bbl./day of flour. Water rights, dam and a section of land were secured by J. Oberholzer in 1868 from Peter Zimmerman, who in that same year, had aquired ownership of the forge/furnace complex.

In 1899, P. Oberholzer is the recorded owner. He sold to Weaver Horst in 1904. It stayed in the Horst family then; as in 1929, Peter Horst took over the reigns. In 1964, it was run as Horst Bros. Mill with Paul Horst at the helm. In 1987, it was still in operation, but probably in the last stages of life.

By 1999, some demolition was evident. Perhaps just to make equipment storage easier.