Machipongo in Northampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Gristmill Grindstones

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 12, 2017

1. Gristmill Grindstones Marker

Inscription. Numerous water-powered gristmills existed on the Eastern Shore of Virginia from the 1600's until as late as the 1930's. Water from streams or tides turned undershot waterwheels operating the sometimes very dangerous machinery used to rotate heavy grindstones. Some stones were imported from Europe. Shore mills were often locate don top of a dam with the revolving waterwheel adjacent to the structure.

Additionally, there were windmills where the wind served the same purpose as flowing water. The famous illustrator Howard Pyle noted the existence of windmills during his visit to Northampton and Accomack counties in 1879.

Millstones were subject to wear and were recycled as doorsteps and garden paths. Notice the grooves cut into the stones.

Millstones courtesy of Steve Graham

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Windmills series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 37° 24.279′ N, 75° 54.275′ W. Marker was in Machipongo, Virginia,

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in Northampton County. It could be reached from Young Street west of Lankford Highway (U.S. 13), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 7295 Young St, Machipongo VA 23405, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was on the Eastern Shore.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: The Quarter Kitchen (1844) (here, next to this marker); The Quarter Kitchen (1804) (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The African American Almshouse (a few steps from this marker); Wooden Remnant (a few steps from this marker); Northampton County Almshouse At Machipongo

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 12, 2017

2. Gristmill Grindstones Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Barrier Islands Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Grace and William Eyre (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward Franklin and Dorothy "Dot" Wise Gibb (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Machipongo.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Quarter Kitchen (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Cauldron (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); The African American Almshouse (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Barrier Islands Center. (Submitted on August 14, 2017.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 470 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 14, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.