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...
This is the fourth and final article in the series covering a brief history of the Conestoga River. The first article described the conditions prior to European settlement. The second article covered the colonial period and the importance of the river for transportation. The third article covered...
This is the third article in the series in which we are taking a journey through time on the historic waters of the Conestoga River. In the first article, I covered the conditions of the Conestoga prior to European settlement. We looked at how the Conestoga watershed...
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...
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,...
It’s Monday morning! As I mentioned last week, today is the last installment of my Mill Monday series. I haven’t covered all the mills that are still standing in Lancaster County, and I apologize if I didn’t feature your favorite mill. But all good things must come...
It’s Monday morning! Time to feature another one of Lancaster County Pennsylvania’s water-powered grist mills. Today I will feature a popular destination on the Pequea Creek in Conestoga Township. Sickmans mill has featured a campground and tubing excursions on the Pequea for many years although, like many...
It’s Monday morning! Time to feature another one of Lancaster County Pennsylvania’s water-powered grist mills. Today we travel back to Manor township and visit another mill on the Little Conestoga just downstream from Maple Grove. This is one of the oldest mill sites in the county, dating...
