GULDIN/LAUER GRIST MILL

I finally grabbed my camera gear and took a short drive to a old Grist Mill that I’ve known about since my days in High School. Even though the weather was cold & a bit cloudy at times I bundled myself up & drove over here. Located on RT73 just outside the small town of Blandon, PA stands the Guildin or sometimes called the Lauer Grist Mill. When you look at this Image, the old Stone Grist Mill was built at 2 separate times. On the far right is a residence where some people live, and in the middle is the Grist Mill. The far left part was added on in a later date of which I don’t know. The original Grist Mill was built in 1722 and the stone living area was added on in 1877.

This is the entrance to the old Mill property that I was not too sure about entering since no one was around. When-ever I go on someones property, I always ask if I can photograph & walk around with my camera. I have never been refused at all as long as I do what the owners may ask and it’s usually nothing special. If you look close at the door you will see a long piece of wood attached to a bell. Pull on the stick, and the bell will ring. I did that, not knowing who or what would answer the door. After waiting for about 5 min. a scruffy looking older man came and opened the old door. I told him who I was and what I wanted to do. He was very nice and granted my requests. He told me some History about the Mill as I asked some questions. I could walk the property freely just as long as I don’t fall into the Mill Pond!

Grist Mills back in the early days did not have electric at all. Was not invented quite yet. What powered the grinding wheels was water from a Mill Pond that turned a huge water wheel. This is just part of the Mill Pond that supplied water to the Mill. It in turn is fed by a creek that enters at the far end. The Mill Pond is not very deep. About 2 feet. Maybe long ago it was much deeper.

This is looking at the other end of the Mill Pond with the Mill Race at the top on the left side. The original Mill Barn is the small building in the foreground. The big part was built on at a later time for more storage. I was told that the original Barn was used to distill whiskey during the early 1800’s, but that’s all he knew.

With the light of the day starting to fade and it was getting colder & windy, I took this last shot of the old Barn before I got too cold.

I also asked the Owner if I could go inside the Mill and see what is still there from long ago. He said “Sure. Just be careful. The floors are weak & full of dust.” “Try not too fall, please.” I won’t. The above is part of the wheels that powered the grinding stones below. With a bit of repair they would still work after close to 300 yrs.!

Then going down some well worn wooden steps that were rather steep, he showed me this “hopper” where the ground corn in dumped into for further process. One of the Grinding Stones are visible to the left.

The remains of wheel pulley’s that turned the Grinding Stones below. An old belt still hangs where it was placed. All this is never used. It just wastes away into History.

The side door that enters the Grist Mill. During the real heavy rain we had this past Summer this area had water up to the line above the window. Most everything on the bottom floor of the Grist Mill was flooded badly. Not much the Owners could do, but sweep out the water & mud, then wait for it to dry.

There are a few Grist Mills still standing in my area, but not many. Most of them are gone or converted into homes. It’s good that some of them are still left.

Thanks for stopping by.

Les