Near Fairmont in Marion County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Valley Falls Whip and Grist Mill
Photographed By Bradley Owen, September 10, 2022
1. Valley Falls Whip and Grist Mill Marker
In 1827 W.W. Fetterman purchased the land surrounding Valley Falls, and built a ship saw mill, and contracted with William Hanley, an English stone cutter, to cut a mill race for water power, using black powder explosives for the first time in this area. J.A. and William Work were employed to build and operate the mill, which supplied most of the lumber used in the surrounding neighborhood. In 1847, John Bradshaw and William Whitescarver built a grist mill at the power site before the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was completed in 1852. At its peak the mill could produce 70 barrels of roller-processed flour per day, which was sold on the market as “The Pride of the Valley” brand. The mill closed in 1905.
This program is made possible in part by Preservation Alliance of West Virginia and the Benedum Foundation.
Erected by The State of West Virginia, Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, and the Benedum Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.
Location. 39° 23.262′ N, 80° 5.249′ W. Marker is near Fairmont, West Virginia, in
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sage of Valley Falls (within shouting distance of this marker); Dedicated to the Memory of Thornsbury Bailey Brown (approx. 3.4 miles away); Valley Falls (approx. 3.6 miles away); John Barton Payne (approx. 3.8 miles away); Pruntytown (approx. 3.8 miles away); First Taylor County Jail (approx. 3.8 miles away); Industrial School for Boys (approx. 3.9 miles away); Old Catholic Cemetery (approx. 4˝ miles away).
Also see . . . Valley Falls State Park History. During the 1830s, a trader acquired what is now Valley Falls State Park and built a lumber mill which was later followed in 1847 by a grist mill. With the completion of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad line, from Grafton to Wheeling, in 1853, the community began to boom, with a ferry, post office, shops, a factory and schools. A fire in 1886, followed by floods two years
Photographed By Bradley Owen, September 10, 2022
2. Valley Falls Whip and Grist Mill Marker
Photographed By Bradley Owen, September 10, 2022
3. Valley Falls Whip and Grist Mill Marker
The rock column is the last remains of the grist mill built in 1847.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 4, 2013
4. Valley Falls Grist Mill Race Ruins (view from near marker)
Photographed By Bradley Owen, September 10, 2022
5. 1850's Mill Stone
In the 1850's this stone was used in the grist mill operations at Valley Falls.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, September 10, 2022
6. Site of the Whip Mill built in 1837
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 758 times since then and 76 times this year. Last updated on September 26, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 10, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 4. submitted on February 15, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5, 6. submitted on September 26, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
