About 1780, John Canon, founder of Canonsburg, erected a water powered grist and saw mill here. During the Revolution he was county sub-lieutenant of militia and also served in the state assembly. Canon operated the mill until his death at age 58 in 1798. His sons continued operations until 1801 and then sold it. The mill passed through 25 owners before finally closing on Nov. 16, 1996. It operated for 216 years and was the oldest continually operating business in Canonsburg, dedicated to all the workers who built and expanded this region.