Sawmill

Sawmills were originally powered by water, making ownership of a mill difficult for those who could not harness water power. In the 1880's, smaller sawmills that could be run by steam engines began to be manufactured. Many companies began to advertise these steam powered sawmills to the general public., Farmers took advantage of these new smaller sawmills. The sawmill was used on the farm to produce lumber for fencing, barns, houses, and countless other jobs where wood was required. Many farming communities would purchase and run the mill together., The Kinder Farm Park's style of sawmill, an O Mill, was manufactured between the late 1800's and 1930's. The O Mill is a Frick Company sawmill, built in Waynesboro, PA. The sawyers or sawmill operators, that run this mill, have cut lumber for numerous projects around the Park. Some of these projects include miles of fence boards, animal runs, shelters, and many buildings around the farm complex. They also produced the lumber for the display cases, conference table, wainscoting, and cabinets for the Visitors Center.