YorksPast

Several readers requested a map locating the four mills in Stony Brook; specifically in relationship to the surroundings of today. I thought the best way to honor the request is a 2014 Bing.com Aerial Photo, where I’ve noted the location of each of the four mills.

The two water powered grist mills no longer stand. Hauser’s Grist Mill [1] was torn down by 1920, and Stonybrook (Hiestand’s) Grist Mill [2] was torn down in 1972.

The two mills [3] & [4], that began as mill warehouses, still stand. These warehouses eventually evolved into steam engine powered mills, or possibly went directly to utilizing electric motors to power the mill shafts, gearing, and mill equipment.

I’ve shown the head race and tail race locations for the [2] Stonybrook (Hiestand’s) Grist Mill, based upon Grant Voaden research and examination of early maps; both general and topographic. The water source for mill [2] is the tributary of Stony Run that originates in Windsor Township and flows north, emptying into the main branch of Stony Run.

The head race and tail race locations for the [1] Hauser’s Grist Mill are a bit more mysterious. Stony Run originates in Rocky Ridge Park and flows south, eventually crossing East Market Street just east of the Locust Grove Road intersection. In the field east of Locust Grove Road, the creek beds of Stony Run and its Tributary are well defined in 2014.

The following Stony Brook section of the 1876 Atlas of York County, indicates [1] Hauser’s Grist Mill was primarily using water from the main branch Stony Run, while augmenting it with water flow from the Tributary of Stony Run. On this 1876 map, three of the Stony Brook mills are shown.

The fourth Stony Brook mill; initially the [4] Hauser Mill Warehouse, next to the [Ettline] House, was not yet built when the 1876 map was surveyed. During October 1875, Henry C. Hauser obtains the 105-acre homestead property of his deceased older brother John H. Hauser. Sometime thereafter, Henry C. Hauser builds the Victorian house, now at 3790 East Market Street, and his mill warehouse, now at 3780 East Market Street.

The extent of the 105-acres, that Henry C. Hauser obtains during October 1875, is shown as yellow shading on the following 1937 Aerial Photo. At the 1875 time of acquisition, the only buildings on this yellowed acreage are centered in the area of the Homestead Farm. Henry Hauser, having previously resided along the north side of East Market Street, likely built the Victorian house and mill warehouse at the Market Street end of the farm lane that housed his newly acquired Grist Mill.

Within old newspaper articles, family histories and other books, I’ve seen every one of these mills occasionally referred to as Stony Brook Mill or Stonybrook Mill; in addition to a host of other names. In many cases the name Stonybrook Mill simply means this is a mill in (or near) Stony Brook. If your confused, join the party, because whenever I read a reference to Stony Brook Mill, I have to mentally sort out, to which of the four the writer was referring. Here is a summary:

[1] Hauser’s water powered Grist Mill was located off the beaten path, in a field east of Stonybrook—this was an early water powered mill in the area; on a few instances I’ve seen it called Stony Brook Mill, however no remains of that mill existed after 1920. Grant Voaden reference GV-19.

[2] Hiestand’s water powered Grist Mill (this was Glatz Grist Mill in 1860, Hiestand’s Grist Mill over most of its working life, and simply Stony Brook Mill, to locals, at the end and after its useful life). It was located near the west side of Locust Grove Road; next to where a tributary of Stony Run crosses Locust Grove Road (this is heading south out of Stony Brook and is before reaching Eastern Boulevard). Grant Voaden reference GV-18. This mill stood until 1972. This mill still had a big wooden water wheel (non-working) when I explored it in the mid-1960s. The boys gave me that guided tour, after delivering a package from Kinard’s Store to the house back to the right of the brick mill building. The artwork by Cliff Satterthwaite captures this mill in splendid detail; see part 1, part 2 and part 3. The following are comments by Cliff Satterthwaite, from one of his e-mails about the Stonybrook Mill artwork:

One of my first encounters with the mill was to ask permission to draw it.  The old brick house to the upper right, I figured, was the “mill keepers” home. The miller had passed away leaving the elderly wife and her no fur, eczema dog. She kindly granted my request to draw different views of what seemed to me as “time joyfully standing still!”

She let me “rescue” a small flutter wheel that was part of the gearing process. The wooden hand made nail bucket (in the painting) most likely was tossed out with the demolition of a Treasured Part of History ….. The Stoneybrook Mill!!

I did ask The York Historical Society to investigate and “find ways to rescue it”, but no “practical way” was found.

[3] Waser’s Mill (3755 E. Market Street); also called Stony Brook Mill. I have a 1924 receipt with Stony Brook Mill imprinted at the top and signed by M. F. Waser; the mill proprietor. This mill is located on the north side of East Market Street and is just west of the railroad tracks, where the former concrete bridge once stood. This was a non-water powered mill that produced flour and feed mixes. The mill building presently houses AMEREX, who install replacement windows, vinyl siding and exterior doors.

[4] Hauser’s Mill (3780 E. Market Street) began as a mill warehouse and housed Kreutz Creek Valley Farmers Co-Op after 1918. Among other things, the Co-Op did custom grinding and mixing of feeds, within their non-water powered mill. Again, I’ve seen references to this mill as Stony Brook Mill; although the writers were likely only making reference to this mill being in Stony Brook. This mill building is located next to the well-known Ettline Antiques properties on the south side of East Market Street and is just east of the railroad tracks. The mill building previously housed The Framers & Framers’ Gallery for many years. A new owner of the mill building is retaining existing elements of original construction throughout the structure; details in a future post.

I’ll be adding posts, with more details on each of these four mills, so readers can more clearly distinguish them from one another. For now, here are related links:

Hauser’s water powered Grist Mill

• The Humpback Bridge at Stony Brook, Part 3: John and Hannah Hauser Family
• The Humpback Bridge at Stony Brook, Part 5: The John H. Hauser 1850 Homestead

Hiestand’s water powered Grist Mill

• The Stonybrook Mill; Artwork of Cliff Satterthwaite
• Grant Voaden’s Stonybrook Mill details; illustrated with Artwork of Cliff Satterthwaite
• Handwriting on the Walls of Stonybrook Mill and more Artwork of Cliff Satterthwaite
• 1860 Buildings 51-58 in East Region of Springettsbury Township

Waser’s (3755 E. Market St.); Stony Brook Mill

• A Trolley heads East of Stony Run in Stony Brook
• A future post will feature a 1924 receipt with Stony Brook Mill imprinted at the top and signed by M. F. Waser; the mill proprietor.

Hauser’s (3780 E. Market St.); Kreutz Creek Valley Farmers Co-Op

• A Trolley heads East of Stony Run in Stony Brook
• Hauser Mill Warehouse in Stony Brook becomes the Mill for Kreutz Creek Valley Farmer’s Co-Op

Assorted related posts include:

• The Stonybrook Mill; Artwork of Cliff Satterthwaite
• Grant Voaden’s Stonybrook Mill details; illustrated with Artwork of Cliff Satterthwaite
• Handwriting on the Walls of Stonybrook Mill and more Artwork of Cliff Satterthwaite
• Gotwalt’s Mill at the S-curve in Camp Betty Washington Road
• Barshinger’s Mill Site along Barshinger Creek
• S. Morgan Smith Turbine cut up York County eels Ready for the Frying Pan
• Jacobs “Factory” Mill in Paradise Township gets first S. Morgan Smith Turbine
• The Mill Room was filled with Neighbors who discussed Anything and Everything
• The Magic Corn Sheller; it was Invincible

Reading the HEADLINES; A Quick Index to ALL YorksPast Posts