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Lanterman's Mill, Mill Creek Park, Youngstown, Ohio
Lanterman’s Mill is a century’s old grist mill in Mill Creek Park, an urban park in Youngstown, Ohio. It’s a rather unique mill in that the water wheel is inside the building rather than on the outside, like one normally sees in old photographs. Both adults and children will enjoy the climb down to the bowls of the mill to see the wheel in operation, with the water flowing through raceways carved into the rock. Up above, demonstrations are given to show how wheat, corn and other grains are turned into meal and flour.
The official website for Lanterman’s Mill provides a short history of the two mills that have stood on the site:
At the end of the 18th century the land surrounding a beautiful, natural waterfall, now known as Lanterman’s Falls, belonged to John Young, founder of Youngstown. In August 1797 Young’s surveyors, Isaac Powers and Phineas Hill, set out to explore the then unnamed Mill Creek.
In 1933 the first floor was converted into a nature museum, then into the Park’s historical museum in 1972. Lanterman’s Mill was entered in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior in 1976.
Coming upon the Falls, the two men immediately recognized the potential of the site for a mill. Hill offered to purchase the 300 acres surrounding the Falls. Young stipulated, as a condition of the sale, that Hill must build a saw- and gristmill on the site within eighteen months of the purchase. Hill agreed and contracted with fellow explorer Isaac Powers to construct the mill.
The first mill was built of logs from the site. Millstones were cut from granite boulders found in the area of what is now Fifth Avenue at Rayen Avenue. This mill operated from 1799 to 1822.
In 1823 the original mill was replaced by a second mill. Built by Eli Baldwin, this frame structure served only as a gristmill. Baldwin’s mill operated until 1843 when a flood washed it away. A grinding stone from this mill can still be seen resting in the creekbed 500 feet downstream of the Falls.
The current frame structure was built in 1845-46 by German Lanterman and his brother-in-law Samuel Kimberly. German and his wife Sally Ann owned a large tract of land around the Falls. Lanterman’s Mill was the third mill constructed at the Falls and was used solely as a gristmill. It is believed that this mill was originally powered by an overshot wheel, the type presently being used, but was later converted to turbines prior to its closing in 1888. Lanterman’s Mill was a highly successful operation, utilizing three sets of grinding stones. Historians speculate that its downfall was due to the advent of roller mills which were much more efficient and less costly to run.
After closing, the Mill stood in a state of disrepair until purchased by the Park in 1892. As an early Park facility, the building held a ballroom, a concession stand, and bathhouse for swimmers. Swimming continued in the Pool of Shadows until 1917. The upper floors were used for boat storage during the winter.
The gift store sells a variety of mill and Ohio-themed merchandise. Most interesting of the articles for sale are the books about the history of mills and products such as cornmeal, stone-ground onsite.
Just up the river a piece is a reproduction covered bridge that’s also worth a visit. A two-mile walking trail goes up and down the creek and provides an enjoyable walk, particularly in the fall, when the leaves are changing. Downstream and to the right, the observant explorer will find the remains of an old amusement park, Idora Park.
Lanterman’s Mill Official Website
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