Clarksburg in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Our Daily Bread
The Hyattstown Mill
In operation since 1798, Hyattstown Mill was known for its “fine stone-ground white and yellow cornmeal." Destroyed by fire in 1918, the new mill was quickly rebuilt on the old foundation and remained a crucial local business until the mid-1930s.
The New Patented Marvel Process
While continuing to utilize water propelled stone buhrs to grind Corn, proprietors Frank. Mortimer and Charles Luhn also outfitted their new facility with the Midget Marvel, a self-contained gasoline operated roller mill distributed by the Anglo-American Mill Company. This new machinery allowed for more efficient processing of wheat flour. Using this equipment also resulted in a more sanitary operation, as “no hands but yours” — that of the consumer — touched the final product. Due to the public health movement, the quality of flour had to achieve “perfect cleanliness” in manufacturing and packaging.
The Mark of Quality
By 1922, over a quarter of all flour mills in the United States used the Midget Marvel. Hyattsown Roller Mills became one of more than 1,300 American

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 16, 2016
2. Hyattstown Mill
The original Hyattstown Mill went up in flames in a matter of minutes. With community assistance and limited funds, the owners rebuilt the mill using recycled sheet metal siding from a local warehouse at Price's Distillery as seen in this 1974 photo.Close-up of photo on marker
“often buttered, never bettered”
White of Whole Wheat?
In the 1913 national publication, Economy Administration Cookbook, Montgomery County resident Mrs. Townsend supplied a recipe for Steamed Brown Bread that utilized 5 cups of “graham” flour. The coarse-textured whole-wheat she suggested was healthier option to white flour, because,it aided in better digestion and'overall vitality. Nutritionists believed the milling milling process stripped white flour of essential vitamins necessary for a balanced diet. Hyattstown Mill sold “graham whole-wheat,“ identifying this commodity as “the health giving flour” All three components of the wheat kernel -- bran, germ, and endosperm are ground separately, and then mixed back together to make this product.
Erected by Montgomery Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1798.
Location. 39° 16.784′ N, 77° 18.707′ W. Marker is in Clarksburg, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker can be reached from Hyattstown Mill Road, 0.2 miles east of Frederick
Road (Maryland Route 355), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14290 Hyattstown Mill Road, Clarksburg MD 20871, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hyattstown Mill (a few steps from this marker); Women on the Homefront in Montgomery County (approx. 0.6 miles away); A Real Field of Dreams (approx. one mile away); Welcome to Froggy Hollow (approx. 2.1 miles away); George Washington (approx. 2.9 miles away); 1862 Antietam Campaign (approx. 3 miles away); Mt. Ephraim Crossroads (approx. 3 miles away); Comus Inn (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clarksburg.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 16, 2016
5. Reverse Image Postcard
In this early-20th century reverse image postard, the male “breadwinner” is less concerned with his budget than pleasing his wife through the purchase of top quality flour from Hyattstown Roller Mills. Close-up of image on marker
John McGrain
John McGrain

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 16, 2016
6. The Midget Marvel
Marketed as “modern scientific,” the Midget Marvel Roller was the only short process mill that was affiliated with the production of FLavo FLour. {The sign on the machine reads: “Don't Spit On the Floor”}Close-up of photo/diagram on marker
SPOOM
SPOOM

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 16, 2016
8. Flavo. Flour
In addition to producing the equipment, the Anglo-American Company also generated stock FLavo ads the members of the Community Marvel Millers' Association, such as the Hyattstown Mill, could use in local newspapers, replacing the older traditional adds (photo #7).Close-up of image on marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 424 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on November 10, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 13, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7, 8. submitted on July 19, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.