Bowmansville Roller Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bowmansville Roller Mill
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jct. of PA 625 and Von Nieda St., Bowmansville, Brecknock Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 14.3 acres (5.8 ha) |
| Built | 1850 |
| Built by | Von Nieda, Henry; Von Nieda, John Adam |
| NRHP reference No. | 89001821 |
| Added to NRHP | January 19, 1990 |
The Bowmansville Roller Mill, also known as the Von Nieda Mill, is a very old and important building in Bowmansville, Pennsylvania. It's located in Brecknock Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This mill is part of a special area called a historic district.
The main mill building was built in 1850. It's made of a strong stone called brownstone and stands 3 1/2 stories tall. It measures about 45 feet by 50 feet. The property also includes another old building, a two-story sawmill made of brownstone and wood. You can also see the old water channels, called a headrace and a tailrace, that once powered the mills. The mills stopped working around 1945.
Because of its history and unique features, the Bowmansville Roller Mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
Contents
What is the Bowmansville Roller Mill?
The Bowmansville Roller Mill was once a busy place where farmers brought their crops. It was a type of gristmill that later became a roller mill. Mills like this were super important in the past. They helped turn grains like wheat and corn into flour. This flour was then used to make bread, cakes, and other foods.
The mill was built in 1850 by Henry and John Adam Von Nieda. It was a central part of the Bowmansville community for nearly a century. People relied on it for their food supplies.
A Look Inside the Mill
The main mill building is quite impressive. It's built from sturdy brownstone, which is a type of sandstone. The building has 3 1/2 stories, meaning it has three full floors and a smaller half-floor, often in the attic.
Next to the main mill, there's a two-story sawmill. A sawmill is where logs are cut into lumber. Both mills used water power from nearby streams. Water was directed through a channel called a "headrace" to turn a large wheel or turbine. After powering the mill, the water flowed away through a "tailrace." These water channels are still visible today.
How Mills Work
Early mills, called gristmills, used large grinding stones to crush grain. Later, roller mills like Bowmansville's used sets of rollers to grind the grain more finely. This process made different types of flour.
- Water Power: Water from a stream was channeled to turn a large water wheel or turbine.
- Gears and Belts: The turning wheel powered a system of gears and belts inside the mill.
- Grinding: These gears made the grinding stones or rollers spin.
- Flour Production: Grain was fed into the mill, crushed between the stones or rollers, and then sifted to separate the flour from the bran.
This system was a marvel of engineering for its time. It made it much easier to produce food for communities.
Why is it Historic?
The Bowmansville Roller Mill is important because it shows us how people lived and worked in the past. It's a great example of industrial buildings from the mid-1800s. It also reminds us of the importance of local mills before large factories took over.
When the mill closed around 1945, it marked the end of an era for the community. Preserving buildings like this helps us understand our history and how technology has changed over time.
The National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is an official list kept by the United States government. It includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.
When a place like the Bowmansville Roller Mill is added to this list, it means:
- It's recognized as a special part of our country's heritage.
- It gets some protection and can sometimes receive help for preservation.
- It helps people learn about and appreciate the past.
Being on the National Register helps make sure that these valuable historic places are saved for future generations to enjoy and learn from.
