Algonquin Mill Complex

This Mill, built about 1826, replaced a log mill built about 1818 by George Tope, and operated by him until his death in 1845. Members of his family continued to operate the Mill until it was sold to Alexander Riley in 1865. Mr. Riley operated it until 1879 when it was bought by Dr. Jasper Tope. Partial interests were held at various times by James Rutledge, Jacob Allen, Jackson Tope, William Davis, William Rutledge, David Brooks, Thomas Rutledge and Melancthon Wagner. In 1890, the Mill was purchased by William N. Corey, who converted it from water to steam power.

Marion Hardesty bought the Mill in 1900, and operated it with his son, Clair, who eventually bought it. In 1917, Mr. Hardesty sold the Mill to John Miller of Basil(now Baltimore, OH), who installed the second set of boilers in the Mill.
Mr. Miller’s daughter, Mae, married Arlie Chambers, who assisted his father-in-law in its operation until 1938, when it was shut down for the first time in 120 years.
Mr. And Mrs. Arlie Chambers made the Mill available to the Carroll County Historical Society in 1969 for the purpose of restoring it as nearly as possible to its original form.
At its peak, the Mill produced 25 barrels/day, grinding wheat, oats, corn and buckwheat.

The second log cabin was moved and re-erected at the Mill Complex in 1976. It was a gift of David Householder of Carrollton and formerly stood on his property on Mayham Road(Center Township), NE of Carrollton.

It, like the spinning and weaving cabin, was moved and re-erected under the direction of Clair Close of Carrollton. Larger than the first cabin, it is used to house a print shop. The printing press was purchased from Gale Lawrence of Bradner, Ohio. Mr. Lawrence also donated to the Society several hundred dollars worth of printing-related equipment.

The printing press is the type formerly known as a “letter press,” and has been in use at the Mill each year since 1977.

This small barn is a part of the Algonquin Mill Complex and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Sites with the U S Department of the Interior.

The first country Store at the Festival was located here. Later it was used as a Flea Market for several years, and in 1982 it was converted to a Cookie Factory and Cheese House-Trail Bologna headquarters.

The barn, during the days of early Mill operation, was used by patrons who came from a distance, as a place of rest and for feeding their horses. There was also a blacksmith shop, across the bridge, (left background) for the convenience of Mill patrons.

The building always had either a Mail Pouch or a Kentucky Club tobacco sign on the North end. The sign was repainted by Harley Warrick of Belmont, OH during the 1978 festival.