Recent from talks
Lightfoot Mill
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Lightfoot Mill
The Mill at Anselma (a.k.a. Lightfoot Mill) is an archetypal small, 18th-century custom grain mill in Anselma, outside Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. It is probably the only surviving one in the United States with an intact colonial-era power transmission system. A custom grain mill typically ground cornmeal and flour only for local farmers, not for commercial distribution. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2005.
Samuel Lightfoot built this custom grist mill in c. 1747 to mill flour for Chester Springs' early residents. During three centuries of operation, the Mill evolved to meet changing needs and became the center of the community of Anselma. The first of eight grist mills established in the Township of Pikeland, the Mill at Anselma was never the largest nor the most valuable. However, it provided a vital local flour milling service for early settlers living in Philadelphia's backcountry against the backdrop of a flourishing American grain economy in the late 18th century.
By the mid-19th century, Lightfoot's Mill supported Chester County's growing livestock and dairy economy by milling animal feed as well as flour under the ownership of John Oberholtzer. In 1872, the Pickering Valley Railroad connected Anselma's vibrant farming community with the markets of Philadelphia.
The Mill at Anselma was also home to the respected poet and social activist Sara Louisa Oberholtzer, who used her surroundings as a backdrop for her poems "At the Old Mill" and "Lost Music."
The Mill's final miller, Oliver E. Collins, and his family came to Anselma in 1919. During the Great Depression, the Collins family relied on their colonial-era grist mill to make a living. The family ran a saw mill and cider press, milled animal feed, and operated the Anselma Post Office from their home. Mr. Collins assembled a machine shop to create a repair service and sharpen lawn mower blades, and even cut hair for local residents. The mill remained active until 1982.
1747–1812 Samuel Lightfoot, William Lightfoot, Thomas Lightfoot
1812–1820 Lewis Rees, James Benson
1820–1859 Rees Sheneman
Hub AI
Lightfoot Mill AI simulator
(@Lightfoot Mill_simulator)
Lightfoot Mill
The Mill at Anselma (a.k.a. Lightfoot Mill) is an archetypal small, 18th-century custom grain mill in Anselma, outside Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. It is probably the only surviving one in the United States with an intact colonial-era power transmission system. A custom grain mill typically ground cornmeal and flour only for local farmers, not for commercial distribution. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2005.
Samuel Lightfoot built this custom grist mill in c. 1747 to mill flour for Chester Springs' early residents. During three centuries of operation, the Mill evolved to meet changing needs and became the center of the community of Anselma. The first of eight grist mills established in the Township of Pikeland, the Mill at Anselma was never the largest nor the most valuable. However, it provided a vital local flour milling service for early settlers living in Philadelphia's backcountry against the backdrop of a flourishing American grain economy in the late 18th century.
By the mid-19th century, Lightfoot's Mill supported Chester County's growing livestock and dairy economy by milling animal feed as well as flour under the ownership of John Oberholtzer. In 1872, the Pickering Valley Railroad connected Anselma's vibrant farming community with the markets of Philadelphia.
The Mill at Anselma was also home to the respected poet and social activist Sara Louisa Oberholtzer, who used her surroundings as a backdrop for her poems "At the Old Mill" and "Lost Music."
The Mill's final miller, Oliver E. Collins, and his family came to Anselma in 1919. During the Great Depression, the Collins family relied on their colonial-era grist mill to make a living. The family ran a saw mill and cider press, milled animal feed, and operated the Anselma Post Office from their home. Mr. Collins assembled a machine shop to create a repair service and sharpen lawn mower blades, and even cut hair for local residents. The mill remained active until 1982.
1747–1812 Samuel Lightfoot, William Lightfoot, Thomas Lightfoot
1812–1820 Lewis Rees, James Benson
1820–1859 Rees Sheneman
Recent media