Christian Morehart built the present structure in 1824. He owned and operated the mill until his death on June 4, 1859. Succeeding Morehart there were numerous owners but the dates of ownership are ambiguous. The following people are some of the owners of Rock Mill between 1859 and 1931: Phillip Homrighouse, John Fore, Solt, Alspaugh Brothers & Fore Company, Ed Alspaugh, Talley, J.P. Gundy and F.H. Barlow, and W.S. Alspaugh. The record of subsequent owners is unknown to this author.

Today, Rock Mill stands 4 1/2 stories tall and rests on a stone foundation. The mill has a frame construction made of oak with a red tin roof. The lap siding is seriously deteriorated with many sections gone. The mill sits at the headwaters of the Hocking River. At this location there is a deep gorge cut by the river in a red-brown sandstone formation that creates a spectacular, scenic setting. The mill is positioned so that 2 1/2 stories rise above the rim of the gorge and 2 stories are below the rim. From the mill, there is a 50-foot drop to the Hocking River.

Rock Mill was water-powered with a huge overshot waterwheel. There was a dam above the 14' natural waterfall that created the head of water that was channeled to the mill. An incredible millrace was chiseled through solid rock just above the falls in front of the mill. The rock millrace was 30' long, 18' deep and 3' wide. The water was transported from the millpond created by the wooden dam through the cut in the rock to the wooden waterwheel by a wooden flume. The waterwheel and flume have long since been gone, but the carved rock millrace is still beautifully evidenced above the falls.

Rock Mill functioned as a gristmill and flourmill from 1824 through 1905. Since it ceased operating, the mill has deteriorated. On March 10, 1991, I found the condition of the Rock Mill hopeless. The strong oaken timbers of 1824 are now exposed to the elements of weather because much of the siding is gone. With continued exposure to the elements the building will collapse very soon. Viewing the mill from the river's side, the right corner beam that supported the building has split and broken. Rock Mill's future is a crumpled pile of 1824 oak planks and beams in the bottom of the rocky gorge at the headwaters of the Hocking River.

The setting of Rock Mill is so beautiful that you can't help but appreciate the landscape. Unfortunately, there is a sense of gloom associated with the visit due to Rock Mill's sad condition. The experience of witnessing the gorge's precipice and the millrace chiseled in rock is worth the visit. You will also be rewarded with a covered bridge at the site of Old Rock Mill. (Lancaster and Fairfield County, Ohio; "Old Mills and Millers."; "Old Rock Mill." The Columbus Dispatch Magazine; "Old Rock Mill." Museum Echoes; "Rock Mill Farm").