Lane's Mill was built in 1848 by William Elliot. William Elliot was
killed in an accident in the mill in 1853. William Lane bought the mill and operated it
until 1898. The farm complex including the mill, house and barn has since belonged to the
Manrod Family.
Lane's Mill is 3 1/2 story beautiful structure. It was built with cut
limestone that was quarried from Four Mile Creek, the water supply for the mill. The
original roof was shake and was covered in 1970 with asphalt shingles. The building is
covered with vines and brush trees that hide the impressive structure. The wooden gables
are seriously deteriorated and the windows are gone. Above each window opening is a stone
segmental arch lintel. Each window sill has a protruding slab of stone.
The area surrounding the mill is so overgrown that identifying the
location of the undershot waterwheel is impossible. The millrace is easily identified. At
its origin, the millrace is 30' wide and 8' deep. It becomes narrower as it approaches the
mill. The tailrace parallels Four Mile Creek for 3000 feet. The millrace and tailrace have
not been changed significantly but they are overgrown with trees and brush.
Although the mill area is not maintained and the mill is seriously
deteriorated, it is still worth a visit. Just the stone work alone is architecturally
significant. Lane's Mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
("Lane's Mill.")
DIRECTIONS: Butler County. Milford Township. From Oxford, south on S.R.
27, 2 miles, east (left) on Nichols Road 1 mile, north (left) on Lane's Mill Road 3/4
mile, on left.