Playing today:Rolly Poly.""

Reed's Mill

1791

Second Creek, West Virginia

This pen and ink drawing is of Reeds Mill in the year 1907. I do not know who made the drawing (I will try to remember to ask), but it is to appear on a t-shirt that can be purchased. The flood of 1996 damaged the dam, and the dam is being repaired. When the dam is repaired, the mill will be reopened and there will be a celebration. The t-shirts will be one of the items that can be purchased in memory of the history of the mill.

With permission of the owners of the mill, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Mustain, I have made some photos of the inside of the mill which I hope will be suitable for placing on this page. Also, when I learn the date of the grand reopening of the mill, I will let you know. It will be "worth your while" to attend if at all possible.

Photo by Okey L. King

In 1791, Archibald McDowell built what is now known as Reed's mill. The McDowells were a pioneer family of the area who came to own several thousand acres of land. They are still prominent in the area.

To help maintain his holdings on Second Creek, Archibald McDowell built a grist mill, a sawmill, and a blacksmith shop. What is now Reed's Mill served the area by providing a facility in which corn, wheat, rye, and buckwheat could be ground for the inhabitants of the area. Life in the areas adjacent to second Creek demanded, and still demands, rugged individuals. The work of grinding these farmers' grain was accomplished with stone burrs (grind stones). According to the present owner of the mill, most of these were manufactured in the area, but one has the name of a Baltimore firm upon it.

(The Baltimore Burr)

Photo by Okey L. King.

Second Creek rises high in the mountains of wild Northern Monroe County and falls some 600 feet to the 1800 foot elevation of the mill. Before it reaches the mill, Second Creek is fed by Kitchen Creek, Big and Little Devil Creek, Forrest Run, Laurel Creek, Carpenter's Creek and many other smaller streams which fall from an even higher altitude. In January of 1996, conditions led to a flood in which every small stream became a river. Second Creek was a surging devestating force that slammed down the valley wrecking havoc and damaging man-made structures including the mill.

The mill was purchased by the Reed Family sometime in the early 1900's, and we are blessed to have this historical treasure still in operation. For years, from 1926 until 1989, Obrey Reed ran the mill, but Obrey has past on. I pastored the Pentecostal Church at Second Creek and I would stop and talk to Abrey once in a while. he called the corn he ground "bread corn." You can still buy the best bread-corn cornmeal here. Cornmeal that you find in stores do not contain the whole grain like the cornmeal from which your grandparents made their bread. But the cornmeal that you purchase at Reed's Mill still does. When the mill resumes operation, you will be able to buy both corn and buckwheat. You have not really eaten good pankcakes until you have eaten pankcakes made from fresh buckwheat.

When you visit the mill, Mr. Mustain will gladly give you a explanation of what is going on and tell you about the different kinds of corn that is used to make the cornmeal. And, this cornmeal is not the modern hybred stuff, it is the same type of corn that our ansestors brought over the mountains with them.

While you are in the area visiting the mill, be sure to travel though the surrounding countryside and see other beautiful things.

Much, but not all, of this material was rearanged from an article found on the back of a flyer that the owner has had produced. Therefore, this article is not to be reproduced for profit without the expressed consent of the members of the Reed Family who operate the mill. Also, since some of this material is from my memory, it would be nice if you would ask me also.