bridgetonmill.com

Jacking Around at the Mill

The Miller — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:53:39 +0000

Dave Gahimer and I are starting the job of raising the mill to put in the new posts. The floors are sagging ……. so, they need to be jacked up before the new posts go in. We figure moving the floors up 1/2 in. at a time is safe. This is moving 3 floors of a 1870s building so, we don’t want to hurry. We plan to raise it 1/2 in. once a month.

Photo on top – Dave trimming one of the posts …. perfectly square and flat.

Photo on bottom – Dave and I jacking up the floors the 2nd time.

2011 Was a Tough Year

The Miller — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:36:58 +0000

We had a big flood in Feb. and several more in March and April. The Mill Pond was filled with trees and high winds had knocked down 7 trees in the Tail Race. Then a tornado hit the mill in May. We had a lot of water damage in the mill because part of the roof was gone and it kept raining. With good insurance and lots of volunteer help we managed to get it all back together and in better than ever shape. The mill was robbed 4 times during the year. We finally got a good view of the (suspect) with our security cameras and he was caught and put in jail. We had a beautiful Spring. But, it only lasted a few days. Then it started raining and didn’t stop until the drought started. During the rebuilding of the mill we had back to back days of 110 to 115 heat (with heat index added). Gas was high and the economy was low ……… However, we had a very good fall and the best ever Covered Bridge Festival. So, we are planning for 2012 and hoping for a good year.

Topless Mill

The Miller — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 12:03:58 +0000

Looking through the roof from the top floor. It rained for several days after the roof was blown off. We had to clean 3 floors and then used a sprayer with bleach water to double clean. The machinery shown is not used today. It is the top of the old swing sifter. It took about 1/2 the summer to get the mill back together and running again.

More Help Clearing the Tail Race

The Miller — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 11:53:41 +0000

Dustin (Son) and Ethan (Grandson) helped with the cleanup. Also, Adam Krackenberger helped alot and others.

Clearing the Tail Race

The Miller — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 11:48:42 +0000

Jimmy Liddle helping with the 200 + trees that fell into the tail race. We had to get them out or it would silt back in. It took 2 days and 6 bonfires to clear the creek.

Jimmy

New Roof – Thanks Mother Nature and the Insurance Co.

The Miller — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 11:36:16 +0000

No more leaks!!!!!

New Roof

The Miller — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 11:33:43 +0000

I painted the eves before the workers put the new roof on. Had to work fast because I didn’t want to slow them down.

Before Photo of Tail Race

The Miller — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 10:44:07 +0000

The tail race was full of buried trees and dirt when we started working on it. It has taken a few years of working on it – off and on – to get it this open.

Tail Race – Before and After tornado

The Miller — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 10:38:57 +0000

As you can see from the before and after photos the tail race is full of trees. Tail race is about 250 ft. long. The estimate for removing them is $7170.00. I’m trying to convince the insurance Co. that the tail race is a piece of equipment. And, they need to pay to have the trees removed.

Tornado May 25, 2011

The Miller — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 10:17:37 +0000

A tornado hit the Bridgeton Mill and covered bridge. It tore the roof off the north side of the mill and knocked several boards off the bridge. The mill has had extensive water damage from the missing roof. One of our barns was hit by 3 trees. Our campground was covered by fallen trees. The tail race we spent years cleaning out is completely full of trees. The mill pond has many logs and trees in it from an earlier flood. We haven’t had time to work on the mill pond. We restored the sifter, grist mill ….. etc. 3 1/2 weeks after the storm we were grinding. Yes, we have good insurance. The new roof is on the mill. Workers are working on the barn. Hope to get the porches on the mill fixed next week. Still repairing windows. Tail race???? Big problem.

A tornado hit the Bridgeton Mill and covered bridge.