Near London in Laurel County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Dressing a Millstone
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 13, 2019
1. Dressing a Millstone Marker
Inscription.
Dressing a Millstone. . Perhaps the greatest skill in milling was the ability to keep the stones in working order. Although good millstones will last for centuries, constant grinding wears them smooth. Chiseling the furrows and removing glazed, rough, and uneven spots is known as dressing the millstone.
The grooves carved in the face, or grinding surface of a millstone, are called furrows. These perform the important functions of distributing and cutting the grain, preparing it for grinding action which occurs on the flat places, known as lands.
Millstones were dressed by hand with special picks- each steady stroke removing a tiny chip from the stone. This was a tedious process that could easily take several days depending on the size and condition of the millstones.
Notice the different styles of dressing patterns on the stones around you. Each was carved into the stones in a very precise and methodical way. Preferred patterns were passed down from one generation of millers to another and the question of which was best was much discussed and argued.
Perhaps the greatest skill in milling was the ability to keep the stones in working order. Although good millstones will last for centuries, constant grinding wears them smooth. Chiseling the furrows and removing glazed, rough, and uneven spots is known as dressing the millstone.
The grooves carved in the face, or grinding surface of a millstone, are called furrows. These perform the important functions of distributing and cutting the grain, preparing it for grinding action which occurs on the flat places, known as lands.
Millstones were dressed by hand with special picks- each steady stroke removing a tiny chip from the stone. This was a tedious process that could easily take several days depending on the size and condition of the millstones.
Notice the different styles of dressing patterns on the stones around you. Each was carved into the stones in a very precise and methodical way. Preferred patterns were passed down from one generation of millers to another and the question of which was best was much discussed and argued.
Location. 37° 5.05′ N, 84° 3.306′ W. Marker is near
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London, Kentucky, in Laurel County. Marker can be reached from Levi Jackson Road (Kentucky Route 1006) west of Mountain Life Museum Road, on the left when traveling west. Located at Levi Jackson Park Mill. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Levi Jackson Road, London KY 40744, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Dressing a Millstone Marker in front of the two markers.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 13, 2019
3. View of some millstones and the mill.
McHargue's Mill was built in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It stands on the banks of the Little Laurel River where it intersects with Boone's Trace, a historic pioneer road built by Daniel Boone.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 13, 2019
4. The largest collection of old millstones in the U.S. at this park.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 860 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 18, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
