Water powered mills were very
important to the Shenandoah Valley during the 1800s. Significant drops in
stream elevation made for ideal conditions. The Osceola is one of seven
mills on the Marl Creek. Only two remain standing, The McCormick Farm Mill on
the upper part of Marl Creek and the Osceola Mill on the lower. Both mills
were part of the McCormick estate. The Osceola Mill, named for the indian
chief by McCormick, remains structurally intact with massive hand hewn chestnut
beams. The Fritz water wheel as seen above, is thought to have replaced
the original wooden wheel. The Osceola Mill operated as a working mill
until 1969 by the Brubaker family, and provided stone ground products for sale.
Hurricane Camille ended its long history as a working mill in 1969. The
Mill was then renovated into a home and later an Inn. Many of the original
mill works still remain, including the massive overshot waterwheel. The
Daly's hope to have the wheel turning again soon.
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