Bahr Mill Complex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bahr Mill Complex
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Bahr Mill, July 2013
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Ironstone Dr., Colebrookdale Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1897 |
| Architectural style | Gristmill |
| MPS | Gristmills in Berks County MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001611 |
| Added to NRHP | November 8, 1990 |
The Bahr Mill Complex is a special group of old buildings in Colebrookdale Township, Pennsylvania. It's like stepping back in time to see how people lived and worked many years ago. The most important building here is a grist mill, which was used to grind grain into flour. This complex shows a lot about the history of the area.
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Exploring the Bahr Mill Complex
The Bahr Mill Complex is a collection of historic buildings. It covers about three acres of land. This site helps us understand how communities used to operate. It was a place where people could get their grain processed. It also had other important services for the local community.
What is a Grist Mill?
A grist mill is a type of mill that grinds grain. It turns grains like wheat or corn into flour. This flour was then used to bake bread and other foods. Mills were very important long ago. They helped feed families and communities. The Bahr Mill's main building was built in 1897. It is a two-story stone building.
Buildings at the Complex
The Bahr Mill Complex has many different buildings. Each one had a special purpose.
- Farmhouse: This house was built around 1820. It has two and a half stories. It is covered in stucco over stone.
- Smokehouse: Also built around 1820, this small brick building was used to smoke meats. Smoking helped preserve food before refrigerators existed.
- Sawmill: This building, from around 1820, had a stone foundation. It was used to cut logs into lumber.
- Store: A two-story building from about 1820. It was likely a place where people could buy goods.
- Sheds: Two sheds were added around 1890. They were probably used for storage.
- Shoemaker's Shop: This shop, from around 1890, was where shoes were made or repaired.
- Outhouse: Built around 1920, this was a simple outdoor toilet.
- Bank Barn: This large stone barn was rebuilt around 1880. A bank barn is built into the side of a hill. This allows access to different levels from the ground.
- Garage: A frame garage was built around 1930. This shows the arrival of cars.
- Chicken House: An older building from about 1850. It housed chickens.
- Pig Sty: This structure, from around 1890, was where pigs were kept.
A Family's Legacy
The Bahr Mill Complex was a family-run business. The Gable family managed the mill for a very long time. They ran it for over 175 years! This shows how important the mill was to their family. It also shows how dedicated they were to serving the community.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its history and well-preserved buildings, the Bahr Mill Complex is recognized as an important site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. This means it is a special place that is protected for future generations. It helps us learn about the past.
