Many of the covered bridges in Lancaster County utilize an architectural style called the “Burr Truss” or “Burr Arch-Truss”. It’s easy to see the arch, but what is the “Burr”? Does it refer to the rough edges of the woodwork? Or maybe it’s the sound that your...
Another mill has been found to still exist! When I published my book Mills of Lancaster County, I listed the Chickies Valley mill as a mill site. But a reader of my book, Greg Lintner, pointed out that the mill building is still standing and has been...
In approximately 1780, Jacob Graybill built a one and a half story log mill on a tributary of the Chiques Creek now called Shearer’s Creek, on the upper reaches of the Chiques watershed. Peter Grubb, Jr., son of the Peter Grubb who built the Cornwall furnace, bought...
During the American Revolution, a French aristocrat who held the title “Marquis de La Fayette” joined Washington’s Continental Army in which he served as a major general. Known in America as “Lafayette”, he was a key figure in the Siege of Yorktown that set up the decisive...
A little-known jewel of Lancaster County’s history lies along the Mill Creek in Upper Leacock Township. The Mascot Roller Mill, also known as Ressler’s Mill, is a working, four-story stone grist mill. The mill and adjacent miller’s house are open for tours Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00...
Welcome to the third installment of “Amazing Milling Machinery”. In each of these articles I highlight an object that might be found in a typical 19th century, water-powered grist mill. Today’s featured gadget is a dust collector. This device collects flour dust from the air and vents...
I am currently working on a project sponsored by the Ressler Mill Foundation. The Ressler Mill Foundation manages the Mascot Roller Mill on the Mill Stream in Upper Leacock Township. The foundation has engaged a mill wright to refurbish the milling equipment, not necessarily for the purpose...
I was first attracted to Lancaster County’s old grist mills because of their unique architecture. I began photographing them years ago not knowing where that practice might take me. Lately, I have been privileged to get inside some of the mills and have found that they are...
Many of the first European settlers of Lancaster County (originally part of Chester County) came to this part of the world to escape religious persecution. Among these were the French Huguenots with names like Feree, Lefevre, and Leman. Others were the Swiss-German anabaptists named Herr, Funk, Bowman,...
Yesterday, December 28, I walked the length of the Conestoga Greenway Trail with my son who is an avid birder. Thanks to his good hearing and eyesight, and a little help from the Merlin Bird ID app, we were able to identify the many species of birds...
