Snowden's Mill

Built by 1723, the grist mill operated here by Richard Snowden is considered the earliest commercial enterprise in Montgomery County. Local residents patronized his custom mill, paying a toll to have flour produced from grain farmers cultivated. Because flour was a critical part of the colonial diet, trips to the mill were necessary, and while grain was being processed, people who had traveled long distances came into town to shop and socialize. The miller, who owned the business and maintained the machinery, usually supervised apprentices and journeymen learning the trade. Grain brought by customers was carried to the top floor unless a sack hoist was available, dumped into the hopper, funneled through the chute, and fed onto a pair of millstones whose spacing was adjusted for the type of grain. The stones had to be dressed or cleaned to ensure peak performance. After grinding, the flour passed to the sifter and meal bin, was cooled on the floor to keep it from going rancid, and was then collected, bagged, and stored in bins under the eaves in the attic.

Colesville, Maryland · United States