Aderholdt's Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Aderholdt's Mill
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![]() The mill with the original water wheel as photographed by the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1935
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Nearest city | Jacksonville, Alabama |
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Area | 15.2 acres (6.2 ha) |
Built | 1836 |
Architect | Crutchfield, Thomas |
NRHP reference No. | 88003077 |
Added to NRHP | December 29, 1988 |
Aderholdt's Mill is a historic brick building located near Jacksonville, Alabama. It was built around 1839 and was once a busy place where people brought their crops to be ground. This old mill helps us understand how things were made and done a long time ago.
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Aderholdt's Mill: A Glimpse into the Past
Aderholdt's Mill is a two-and-a-half story brick building. It was built into a hillside, which helped use the power of water. The mill was first built with a large water wheel that turned over the top, called an overshot wheel. This wheel used the force of water falling onto it to make the mill machinery work.
Building the Mill
The mill was built by Thomas Crutchfield for Thomas Riley Williams. It cost $2,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then! It was placed next to a small stream called Little Tallasseehatchie Creek. This new mill replaced an older one that had burned down.
Over the years, the mill had several owners. In 1853, James A. Stevenson bought it. Later, James E. Aderholdt purchased the mill. He ran it for many years, until 1976.
How the Mill Worked
Around 1936, the old overshot water wheel was replaced. A new type of machine, called an undershot turbine, was installed. This turbine worked by water flowing under it, spinning the blades. Even today, the mill building and most of its original machinery are still there. They show us how these powerful machines once worked.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its important history and well-preserved state, Aderholdt's Mill was recognized as a special place. On December 29, 1988, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. Being on this list helps protect the mill for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
See also
In Spanish: Molino de Aderholdt para niños