Rosenberger Grist Mill
Bucks Co. | Pennsylvania | USA
Watersource: Molasses Creek.
Rosenberger Grist Mill
From Milford Square on Pa 663, go 0.5 mile west and turn left onto Rosenberger Rd., T 461. After 1 mile, mill is on the right after junction with Umbright Rd., T 459.
The 3.5 story fieldstone/frame grist mill, once powered by an overshot wheel was built in 1850 by David Rosenberger. Later owned by Shelly, Geissinger, and Leatherman.
The owner in 1987 was Mrs. Kathryn Cameron. The building was vacant at the time of visit.
In 1992, there was a large hole punched through the front wall of the 35'x45' mill where the two lower doors had been.
The inlet penstock comes underground into the mill just below the first floor level on the front left corner, southeast corner from Molasses Creek.
The inside, first floor, broken out wall to the right and west end wall with window and stairs going up to 2nd floor
The netherstone on the first floor as it looks from the ground floor/basement, supported by the hurst frame.
This is the netherstone, the lower stationary stone of a run of stones. The runner stone would ride on top of this stone, both enclosed in a wooden case.
This is the mill from the north side, a 2007 picture of photo #2. *Update: The mill and miller's house were sold within the last two years and the current owner hopes to eventually make needed repairs.
Partial remains of the wooden waterwheel on ledge above the wheel pit inside of the south wall in basement/ground level on the creek side.
The wooden waterwheel axle asowing the notches that the wheel spokes fitted into, then radiated to the outside of the wheel where the buckets were fitted.
The north end of the wheel axle with another gear nearby.
Update cont'd: Currently, the large hole in the front wall where the doors ascend has been shored up with 2x4 framing to help stabilize the roof. A good roof is integral to the preservation of a building. Patrick Smith 02/04/04* The photo is showing the lower side of the mill, the lower door enters the basement.
Part of the oak hurst frame that was fitted together with mortise and tenion joints. The mill was a "Thunder Mill" and as such , could only run when there was adequate rainfall in winter and only in summer following thunder showers. The creek did not have enough flow for year-round operation.
The current owner, as of 2007, wants to restore the mill using historically acurate "breathable mortor". The stream has moved through the years, so it does not supply the mill now using the current penstock system.
The deed was written in the formal German language. The miller's house and residence of the owner in 2007, Ray Hoskinson and family.