![](/images/mills/Pa-15-55-04-Thomas_Grist_Mill-rtk-12-30-08.jpg)
Thomas Grist Mill
Chester Co. | Pennsylvania | USA
Watersource: Valley Creek.
Thomas Grist Mill
From the junction of US 30 and Pa 100, go north on Pa 100 to Bus US 30/Lincoln Hwy West. Turn left/west and go to 130 W. Lincoln Hwy. The mill sits on the south side of the highway, behind a parking lot for a car dealer.
![Thomas Grist Mill](/images/mills/Pa-15-55-04-Thomas_Grist_Mill-rtk-12-30-08.jpg)
This mill was built in 1744 by Richard Thomas. It was owned continuously by Thomas descendants during the entire period of operation, which lasted until 1940.
![Thomas Grist Mill](/images/mills/Pa-15-55-04-Thomas_Grist_Mill-2-rtk-12-30-08.jpg)
The Thomas family owned it until 2001. The stone and frame Thomas Mill, with riven shingle siding, is little altered from the original.
![Thomas Grist Mill](/images/mills/Pa-15-55-04-Thomas_Grist_Mill-3-rtk-12-30-08.jpg)
Most of the mill machinery, still intact despite long disuse, dates from c. 1850. Over the years, the Thomas Mill used water power to process corn, wheat, oats, and "plaster of Paris," and to power a saw mill. When it finally ceased commercial operations in 1935, it was functioning as a cider press.
![Thomas Grist Mill](/images/mills/Pa-15-55-04-Thomas_Grist_Mill-4_wheel-rtk-12-30-08.jpg)
In 1886, Templin Thomas modernized the mills operation with the installation of an improved water power system, and new machinery. The present wheel is believed to have been installed at this time.
![Thomas Grist Mill](/images/mills/Pa-15-55-04-Thomas_Grist_Mill-5wheel-rtk-12-30-08.jpg)
The oldest machines in the mill are the mill stones and the associated gearing and framing supporting them. All of the other machines, such as the smut cleaner, middlings purifier, bolter, break and feed mill, are standard, mass-produced milling machines of the c. 1886 to 1910 period.
![Thomas Grist Mill](/images/mills/Pa-15-55-04-Thomas_Grist_Mill-6wheel-rtk-12-30-08.jpg)
The back of the mill showing the shed over the water wheel for protection from the elements.
![Thomas Grist Mill](/images/mills/Pa-15-55-04-Thomas_Grist_Mill-7wheel-rtk-12-30-08.jpg)
A closer view of the wheel placement against the stone foundation wall under the covering shed.
![Thomas Grist Mill](/images/mills/Pa-15-55-04-Thomas_Grist_Mill-8wheel-rtk-12-30-08.jpg)
The present water wheel,a pitch-back wheel, is a cast iron one with wooden buckets. GPS - 75' 38.00 W, 40' 01.36 N
![Thomas Grist Mill](/images/mills/Pa-15-55-04-Thomas_Grist_Mill-9millershse-rtk-12-30-08.jpg)
The miller's house adjacent to the mill seat location. The original headrace was an earth ditch. In 1886 Templin installed a cast iron pipe to direct the water under the highway.
![Thomas Grist Mill](/images/mills/Pa-15-55-04-Thomas_Grist_Mill-10-rtk-12-30-08.jpg)
Originally, the Thomas Mill was powered by water from Valley Creek. Eventually more power was needed. By the early 19th century, there is evidence that the mill was using water from ponds located north of the mill.