History of Weisenberger Mill

History of Weisenberger Mill. . Grist mills have been operating in Kentucky since the late 1700s. Water-powered mills were situated along creeks and streams. Dams were constructed along waterways to create a mill pond. The mill pond controlled the flow of water through a mill race, which channeled water from the pond to the mill's water wheel or turbine. The water rotated the mechanism, powering the mill's machinery. Grist mills, like Weisenberger Mill, historically used large stones, known as mill stones, to grind corn and wheat into meal or flour., Weisenberger Mill is the oldest continuously operating mill in Kentucky. A mill has occupied this site since 1818, and the Weisenberger family has operated the mill for six generations. In 1865, German-born August Weisenberger purchased Payne's Depot Flouring Mills on South Elkhorn Creek and later changed the name to Weisenberger Mill. In 1913, August's son Philip constructed the current mill. Weisenberger Mill remains a water- powered operation and continues to produce flour, cornmeal, and other products. , Photographs courtesy of the Weisenberger family and the University of Kentucky Archives..