Aldie in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Aldie Mill

Photographed by Craig Swain, February 4, 2007

1. Aldie Mill Marker

Inscription. In the 1800s and early 1900s Aldie Mill reverberated with the rhythmic sounds of waterwheels, millstones, and farmers chatting with the miller about the weather and their crops. Charles Fenton Mercer located the grist mill here to capitalize on nearby sources of grain, the waters of Little River, and a network of roads. The Little River Turnpike (U.S. 50), connecting Aldie with the port of Alexandria, was nearly finished. And less than a mile to the west the highway would hook up with turnpikes through Ashby's Gap and the Snicker's Gap in the Blue Ridge. Ideally located, Aldie Mill turned Loudoun County's bountiful wheat harvest into flour for markets along the east coast and overseas.

Erected by Virginia Outdoors Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings.

Location. 38° 58.518′ N, 77° 38.492′ W. Marker is in Aldie, Virginia, in Loudoun County. It is on John S. Mosby Highway (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling east. The marker is in the parking lot for the Aldie Mill Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Aldie VA 20105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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

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other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Waterpower System (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Aldie Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Slashing Sabers (within shouting distance of this marker); A Freedom Seeker from Aldie: The Story of Daniel Dangerfield (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Aldie (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee Moves North Again (within shouting distance of this marker); The Milling Complex (within shouting distance of this marker); Mercer’s Home (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aldie.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has additional information on one of the mill’s owners.

Also see . . .
1. Aldie Mill Historic District. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 1, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Time stands still at Old Aldie Mill. (Submitted on June 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Additional commentary.
1. Invoicing the old way.....
From “Time Stands Still at the Old Aldie Mill,” by the Waterford Historical Society:
The miller asked the boy tolling the grain, ‘Whose

Merchant Mill Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, February 4, 2007

2. Merchant Mill Building

wheat is that?’
‘Mr. Fairfax’s, sir.’
‘Did you toll him?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Well, toll him again. He's a rich man and can afford it.’
Next day the miller came upon the boy and asked:
‘Whose cornmeal is that?’
‘Mr. Jones’s, sir.’
‘Did you toll him?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Well, toll him again. He’s a poor man; let’s keep him poor.’

The “miller’s toll” was a portion of the milled grain set aside by the miller in lieu of payment. —Ed.

— Submitted June 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

Photographed by Craig Swain, February 4, 2007

3. Waterwheels

Country Mill Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, February 4, 2007

4. Country Mill Building

The Water Trace and Overshot Wheels image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 29, 2007

5. The Water Trace and Overshot Wheels

Sign At Aldie Mill image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 21, 2016

6. Sign At Aldie Mill

Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,127 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on April 21, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.