colorado hirailer posted:Today, did some prototype research. Had been months, at least, since l had visited the Black Mill and its covered bridge outside Lancaster, Ohio. Luckily, l got there years ago, before the bridge was bypassed, but had always seen the mill as an abandoned dark hulk overhanging it's picturesque gorge. No more! Completely restored, with new wheel, flume, interior and operating machinery and grinding grain. Too bad the train shop owner in Lancaster who offered the bridge kit is retired and won't offer a mill kit. And down in that area l had once found an old coal town that had an old station and a caboose and tiny rail museum. I thought it was New Straitsville, the once moonshine capital of Ohio, that has an annual moonshine festival. No! Drove all over town and found no evidence of it. Some coal town between Lancaster and Athens did, off of US 33. From that area and have a clue?
Around these parts the original grist mills that remain are all converted to trendy shops. The only exception I know of is the operating mill in our Pioneer Village Museum. It was reassembled and restored on the sight so it loses a little bit on the originality. The important purpose of its resurrection is to do what it was intended to do and hopefully teach a few folks how flour used to be made. The gals in the village make bread and other baked goods with the milled results. Get there early in the morning and you might just be able to purchase a loaf or two. Stone oven baked bread! Mmmmm!
Bruce
