Mill Street

Mill Street. . This abandoned street once paralleled present day Grant Avenue and the Mill Street Market, formerly the Grove City Farmer's Exchange. The road likely dates to 1852 or earlier when Grove City was founded by William Foster Breck. Although an important business hub for the newly created town, its intersection with Columbus Harrisburg Turnpike, known today as Broadway, was not much more than a dirt driveway. , In 1850, Breck purchased a steam powered grist mill from Xavias Buckholz and moved it to his property west of the turnpike between Mill Street and Nichols Street, now Grant Avenue. Breck also operated a sawmill and sold lumber at the same location. , Other businesses soon operated in the immediate area including a hotel, restaurant, general store and hardware store. In the late 1800s, the first local newspaper, the Grove City Blade, opened an office on Mill Street. , Mill Street served as home for some of Grove City's earliest businesses. , Grove City Flour Mill In 1850, Jackson Township's first grist mill was purchased by Grove City founder William Foster Breck and moved to this location. This “modern three-story steam operated flour mill” was erected in 1880 by George H. Gantz. the mill's last owner. The pond next to the mill. created when clay was removed for use at a nearby tile and brick factory, was a popular spot for swimming, fishing and ice skating. The mill was destroyed by fire in 1921. , Grove City Farmers Exchange The offices and grain elevators of Grove City Farmers Exchange were built on this site in 1921. During the 1920s and 1930s it was one of Ohio's top flour producers. The Exchange closed in 2001, and the building was purchased and refurbished to house Mill Street Market. The grain elevators fell into disrepair and were razed in 2007 after the structures were deemed too dangerous to leave standing.