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Barkhurst Mill The Barkhurst Gristmill was built about 1830 by Benjamin and John Pierpoint. John Pierpoint's sons Jonathan and Samuel worked with their father in the mill and eventually assumed the operation. Eli McInturf purchased the mill in 1875. McInturf continued to operate the gristmill until the late 1800's when the mill was bought by the Barkhurst Family. Today, the 2 1/2-story frame structure stands tenuously in ruins. The large block sandstone foundation is deteriorating and the 1830 support beams are disintegrating. The floors are all but gone. The roof is in fair condition relative the condition of the building. Some of the windows are boarded while some are just open. The exterior of the structure is covered in beautifully weathered gray plank siding. Present owners of the mill have tried to acquire financial assistance to repair the foundation to secure the structure but have not been successful. Barkhurst Gristmill, although in a state of ruins, offers an interesting location. Found in a remote area of eastern Ohio, the mill sits on Wolf Creek next to the Barkhurst Covered Bridge. There are remnants of the old millrace dug by Benjamin and John Pierpoint. It is fun to interpret the landscape and identify where the millrace was funneled to the mill and where the waterwheel was located. (Hart, Ruth)
DIRECTIONS: Morgan County. Marion Township. From Chesterhill, north on S.R. 377 1 mile, right on C.R. 52, 1 mile (bare to the right), on curve at covered bridge. |
