Rock Mill: Saving An Original (documentary)

This documentary chronicles the decade-long restoration efforts to save an 1824 gristmill in Fairfield County, Ohio. Dedicated people, many of whom were volunteers, poured heart and soul into the project. The result - amazing!
The film won the 2020 Ed Lentz Award. That award goes to a work that would "document, evoke, interpret, analyze or capture the importance of place and its preservation" and would provide "a better understanding of the history, architecture and/or importance of historic preservation in central Ohio".
PLEASE COMMENT below. We would love to know what you think of this documentary. Have you visited Rock Mill? Do you plan to visit?
Fairfield County Park District
fairfieldcountyparks.org
Closed captions available for Deaf or hard-of-hearing. Click the CC icon at the bottom right of the video.

[@gentlegiants1974]

many years ago I bought an old feed mill with turbine, gearing, water rights and dam, pond, etc. It was in danger of sliding into the river. I put everything I had into it financially and tried to attract donations and grants from local agencies, but absolutely zero interest from anyone with money. In the end I had to sell it due to financial pressures. Second hardest thing I've done in my life. Will never have another chance like that. Glad to see this wonderful restoration story though!

[@caglover]

Absolutely inspiring! Glad to be able to see this process

[@memphis81]

What a wonderful documentary...what a monumental achievement to put that mill back together again. Kudos to all who worked on the mill and this documentary!

[@fairfieldcountyparkdistrict]

Thank you!

[@4945three]

Thank you for honoring the ingenuity and support of our country’s heritage. So informative, inspiring and thankfully a rebirth of a building that didn’t become a decorator’s mishap.

[@bobhill9124]

In 1973 and 74, I used to visit the mill often as a teenager, just to think, and I remember the poor shape of the mill in those days. Little did I know I had family connections to the mill until 40 years later when I became interested in genealogy. I'm descended through Rhinehardt Alspach, whose daughter Mary married John Morehart, and then I descend through Mary's brother, Jacob. So I'm related by blood and marriage to many of the former owners of the mill and very proud and grateful to have family ties to this piece of Fairfield County history (as a side note, the Mary Ruffler Bridge is named after my Third Great Grandmother). And I'm proud and grateful to the people of Fairfield County for voting their support in the restoration of the Rock Mill. And thank you to the Fairfield County Park District for your great work!

[@bobhill9124]

Oops, forgive the typo. That's Ruffner, not Ruffler.

[@fairfieldcountyparkdistrict]

@@bobhill9124 -- Thank you for sharing your memory! It is amazing how many have discovered family ties because of Rock Mill. In case you did not see the article, there is news about bringing Mary Ruffner covered bridge back to Fairfield County to our Sensory Trail Park. See eepurl.com/hsiBHT

[@moonrain85]

That is me, my husband, and our son at 50:38, he was 2 and is now 13, so bittersweet to see this, I had no idea it was there.

[@louvargavarga1955]

I just glanced over and could not resist capturing your family discovering the nature of the gorge floor. A memorable shot for me. @@moonrain85

[@chrisstaylor8377]

Amazing work by a dedicated team

[@cyrilbrun8764]

Great Video !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@timgiles9413]

We have been there many times and we love it. We have never been inside but someday I hope. The setting alone is beautiful but then add a covered bridge and the mill, it all fits perfectly. There is an old house very near to the mill, which would be a very nice spot for an authentic time period home. It could be a mill supervisors home and be open to the public. Then add a small picnic shelter with tables for small groups. The parks department needs to build permanent restroom facilities and add benches for sitting. Great work on the restoration and the documentary. It's a Fairfield County and an Ohio treasure for sure.

[@fairfieldcountyparkdistrict]

It is so good to hear you have enjoyed Stebelton Park at Rock Mill. There are several picnic tables on site and new benches have been installed near Rock Mill. One was a commemorative bench placement. Thanks to donations from Fairfield County Forever, two more benches were installed and an ADA-compatible walkway was constructed (2020). Your suggestions about the house and permanent restrooms are appreciated, but the Park District does not own the property surrounding the mill. Even the gorge is private property that Fairfield County Park District leases just so we can allow people to go down to get a closer look at the waterfall and waterwheel. We hope you will visit again soon!

[@timgiles9413]

@@fairfieldcountyparkdistrict Thanks for the reply. We haven't been there for a few years but thank you for the upgrades. Permanent Restrooms are needed and of highest priority for visitors. I would try to purchase the house for a future Time Period correct, "Superintendence" home. That would make a more realistic Tim Capsule park. We WILL be back soon. :)

[@edensfamilyadventures2714]

What a wonderful restoration is taking place there! So glad to see that it is being preserved for many future generations to appreciate. We are building a replica grist mill in Pottsville, AR that is on a much smaller scale but with a similar design including a covered bridge on the property as well. Come visit in 2028-2029 😊👍

[@johnloy3988]

These are the skills that I have and would love to apply to such a project. I graduated from college one month before the mill began to operate. I wish I had been a part of this

[@lineshaftrestorations7903]

Like a steam engine, the heart and soul workings of this mill is visible for all to see. Kudos on the work.

[@mikewurlitzer5217]

Fantastic! I've seen too many mills converted into some niche business or residences. Back in the early 1960's I fell in love with the Williamsville Mill in Williamsville, NY [near Buffalo] which suffered a similar fate of conversion into some artsy business. After watching this, I was planning to visit but see you have suspended Mill Days because of structural issues. Any update beyond the April, 2022 newsletter?

[@fairfieldcountyparkdistrict]

The May 26, 2022 newsletter gave a brief update, see eepurl.com/h2U439. It reported that "an engineering firm has been consulted. Detailed measurements have been made and a thorough examination of the building and the ground beneath has been completed. The plan to repair and stabilize the mill is being finalized. The next step is to find a qualified team to complete the repairs." As soon as the mill and park are reopened, we hope you do get to visit visit! Please watch either our website, Facebook page, or newsletter for updates.

[@nikkiedominy4720]

Love this one

[@nickmatheny5160]

One of the most awesome restoration projects and a true gem in Licking County

[@fairfieldcountyparkdistrict]

- It was definitely an awesome project and work to maintain it is ongoing! Just a note: Rock Mill is in Fairfield County, not Licking County.

[@5x535]

Well Done, Fairfield County! from Oregon

[@wesbrackmanthercenthusiast4695]

Just visited amazing restoration of the building but kind if a letdown that restored or replica equipment wasn't brought in to bring the whole place back to operations and the wheel although functional is being ran off a water pump instead of replacing the missing dam which also wouldn't be that big of a deal to fix because to spot in the creek needing dam-d is probably only 15 ft wide and 20 ft deep if someone wants to see a functioning mill and buy local flour bears mill in dark county is an exceptional preserved example. hopefully a couple years down the road after im established with the horse drawn farm equipment research/restoration/reproduction business im trying to start ill be able to expand into farm windmills and rebuilding Americas lost 100,000 gristmills i say use the local water that way things like flour aren't traveling 400 miles before they get to my pantry like the flour at aldi packed in ILLINOIS and transported to southern ohio

[@johnadamski4012]

🌲🌳🍀🐾watched it straight through, because I love things made of Wood. And when Wood, Stone, & Steel/Bronze, are Combined & Operated by Nature, well . . . 🙌👏🙌👏🙌👏🙌👏🙌👏 x 💧💦 x ♾!🐾🍀🌳🌲.

[@TheOldManAndTheSaw]

Music was very nice. However, it had a tendency to drown out the commentary.

[@pvf1799]

I’m trying to find the contact details for Shaw & Holter Construction but they don’t seem to have a website. I’d like to ask them a question about the gantry crane they used during the assembly process inside your mill.

[@uuuultra]

I found them on google in like 2 seconds. How hard do you try?😂

[@daleolson3506]

The music junked another video 👎👎👎👎👎💩💩💩💩😬