GCY5FP Fall Into Geocaching: Mansfield Roller Mill (Traditional Cache) in Indiana, United States created by IDNR State Parks and Reservoirs (Adopted by BJS)

This cache has been archived.

B.J.S.: Time to let this one go.

GCY5FP ▼

A cache by IDNR State Parks and Reservoirs (Adopted by BJS) Message this owner

Hidden : 9/5/2006

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Fall Into Geocaching: Historic Mansfield Roller Mill:
"From Boom to Bust!"

This cache was created by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks and Reservoirs in the fall of 2006 to promote geocaching in the Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs.
Whether you visit our great State Parks and Reservoirs for a day or an entire weekend, we hope you get out and see all that Indiana has to offer. Be sure to also check out some of the geocaching events going on at various State Parks this fall! Good Luck!!!

Welcome to Mansfield Roller Mill! Since 1819, a mill has graced the banks of Big Raccoon Creek in the village that would become Mansfield, Indiana in Parke County. The first mill, erected by James Kelsey and Francis Dickson, was a simple 30 foot by 30 foot log building. According to legend, glacial stones from a nearby farm were used for grinding. From that simple beginning, Mansfield Mill came to represent an important part of Parke County history.

The village of Mansfield quickly grew up around the early mill. To accommodate the needs of the early settlers, a sash saw mill and a carding mill were added to the grist mill. A general store, blacksmith, cooperage, and other businesses were built near the mill, and eventually a Color church and a school were organized.

In 1875, Jacob Rohm bought the mill property from James Murphy. Rohm was from an old milling family in Pennsylvania, but had moved around the Midwest building and operating mills. At the time, the Mansfield Mill was a three story building with three run of stone operated by a turbine. The Rohm family lived in the mill until a house could be secured. By 1880, Rohm decided the building did not suit his needs and a new mill was built north of the existing building. Measuring 24' x 36', it is the original section of the present mill. The conversion, from stone grinding to roller system in 1886, caused another section to be added to the building. By 1839, Rohm's sons, George W. and E. H. Calvin Rohm owned the business and added the third story to accommodate more equipment. The Rohm family was quite successful in the milling business, eventually owning five mills, three grain elevators, saw mills and other enterprises in Parke County. George W. Rohm served on the War Production Board during W. W. I, and as president of the Indiana Miller Association. Milling was the largest industry in Parke County and the Rohms were considered the wealthiest family.

By the late 1920's. like many in the milling business, the Rohms began having financial difficulties. Rohm Brothers and Company eventually went into receivership and the Mansfield Mill was sold at Sheriff's auction for back taxes in 1929. It was purchased by the Reeves family and operated by them as a feed mill until 1968. After passing through several owners during the 1970's and 1980's, the mill was donated to the State of Indiana by the Hutcheson and Dalton families in 1991, and is now a part of the Indiana State Museum System. It is considered the finest example of early roller milling in Indiana, with all three floors of machinery intact and a working turbine.

Be sure to take the tour when your in the neighborhood seeking out this cache! Enjoy!

This cache meets all guidelines set forth in the IDNR Geocaching Policy. If you are interested in placing a geocache in an Indiana State Park or Reservoir, please review their policy: here.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Yrsg fvqr bs enzc, jurer gur oynpxgbc zrrgf gur jbbq.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)