Warren County
Local History by Dallas Bogan |
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Dallas Bogan on 18 September 2004 |
Source: |
original article by Dallas Bogan |
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The following was written by Dennis Dalton of Waynesville.
"The Jennings Grist Mill, (Waynesville) Three Centuries Park, was demolished
during November of 1979 by Lowell Rapp and Company after a
large crack developed in the southeast corner of the brick structure endangering
it for further use. Architects who investigated the damage suggested demolition
since the structure was not historically significant architecturally on any
other than local level and estimated that it would take $100,000 to restore
it. The mill throughout its history was under various common names including:
Paul Lewis Mill, Wright's Mill and the Jennings Mill. The mill
was constructed in 1825 by John Jennings who owned and operated
it for several years during its early history. According to Rapp, cost of the
wooden construction in the building, siding etc., was poplar. The floors were
of beech, ash, sycamore and chestnut. The top floor was all poplar. Dismantling
began November 4, 1979.
"Floor joists and beams were oak. One beam measured 60 feet. Most other
beams measured 12 inches by 15 feet. 'There aren't any trees around here to
make those out of,' Rapp commented.
"The lumber in the mill was all marked with Roman numerals. 'I think that
was easier than making numbers,' Rapp said. However, floor joists were marked
consecutively 1,2,3, etc., starting at the west end. All cross supports and
posts were made on the ground and sent up by hand. These were numeraled on the
end near the edge.
"It was a shame to see it come down," said Rapp. "They are the
hardest things to tear down. They are pinned together."
"Among the handmade bricks the workmen discovered a brick at the top of
the structure with a cat's paw print in it. Another paw print was found in a
brick and the print showed a two toed foot.
"Rapp estimated that the building which was 60 feet by 30 feet was constructed
of 100,000 bricks. The first two floors were brick with the gables of brick
and side of the third floor constructed of timber and poplar siding.
"The gables were two bricks thick. The south wall was four bricks thick.
The northeast corner at the top of the bricks were five thick. The first floor
had five brick courses wide, second level had four wide and third floor gables,
two wide. It is possible that the building contained more than 100,000 bricks.
"An antique blue glazed porcelain marble was discovered during the work.
The workmen looked for any relics in evidence and picked through the rubble
and into obscure place since Rapp had heard 'stories of a man who used to hide
money in the building.' However, no money was found.
"Rapp did find a feed mill sack. The paper sack was imprinted "Star
Lite Mill" and was found under a beam. A brass spatula type scraper was
also found. In a corner of the third floor, workmen discovered a grindstone
type device with a cast iron ridged plate, ribbed with three bolt holes which
resembled a jaw type gravel crusher.
"The roof was pinned together with wooden pegs. The wood was of light weight.
"A walnut board found in the building was stenciled J.H. Caskey.
It was nailed to the wall on the second floor. John H. Caskey
lived on the corner of Third and Chapman Streets (Waynesville), southeast side,
in the house that was for many years the Alice Broski residence.
Caskey was a member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church.
"The rafters of the mill were finished with a beaded edge which indicated
true craftsmanship and ornament not usually found in an industrial building
but indicative of the 1820's period. `Wages meant nothing in those days,' said
Rapp. 'They were proud of their work.'
"The nails of the building were huge hand wrought nails.
"`A building like that today would run between a quarter and a half million
dollars and one wouldn't have near as strong a building,' Rapp pointed out.
"A series of iron pulleys were found and were apparently from the period
when the mill was used as an ice plant during the days when it was owned by
Charles M. Robitzer who developed the Wayne Park swimming pool
and fishing/picnic complex in 1930 around the mill.
"The workmen also discovered a five pound Starlight Patent flour sack that
was imprinted Waynesville Mills, C.M. Robitzer, Prop., Waynesville,
Ohio and produced by the Raymond Bag, Middletown, Ohio.
"The mill was converted to ball bearing milling machinery in 1911 and the
last grist mill and feed were ground that year.
"C.M. Robitzer bought the mill and property from a Mr.
Barbeau."
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This page created 18 September 2004 and last updated
28 September, 2008
© 2004 Arne H Trelvik
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