The Ellison Gristmill
A gristmill owned by Thomas Ellison, and later by his son John, was in operation at this location by 1741. Water from an upstream millpond was carried here through an underground tunnel called a raceway. To the left is the foundation which supported the wooden mill. The wheel-pit walls, which held a waterwheel 18-feet high, can be seen below. The large glacial boulders to the right protected the mill structure from damage by ice.
The mill itself was probably three stories high, containing two sets of millstones for grinding grains, such as wheat and corn, into flour or meal. Power to turn the stones was transmitted from the waterwheel through shafts and gears within the mill.
A miller and one or more assistants regulated the entire process. The rumble of the mill and the sound of cascading water filled the Silver Stream gorge whenever the mill was in operation.
Marker can be reached from Forge Hill Road, on the right when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
