The Palisades in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Abner Cloud Mill
Echoes of Millstones
— Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, National Park Service —
Baking bread, frying cornbead and eating "stick to your ribs" oatmeal, all have one thing in common; their ingredients started out at a grist mill. Decades before the sounds of lockhorns and mule hooves clopping by, mills were popping up along the Potomac River and the early Patowmack Canal that skirted Little Falls. The area in front of you was occupied by the grist mill, built and operated by Abner Cloud in 1801. Water supplied to this mill came from the Patowmack Company Skirting Canal.
Cloud operated the mill until his death in 1812, and his widow, Suzanne, continued to operate it until 1852. The mill changed hands throughout the following decades, at various times known as the Frizzle Mill and Cloud-Edes Mill. The National Park Service uncovered the building remains in 2010. It is speculated that wheat, corn and oat flour milled here was carried by the C&O Canal boats. As you view the ruins, imagine the sound of the water wheel on the nearby stream pushing the mill stones as they clatter round and round.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce
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Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 55.174′ N, 77° 6.133′ W. Marker was in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in The Palisades. Marker was on Capital Crescent Trail. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Washington DC 20016, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Navigation of the Potomac (within shouting distance of this marker); Abner Cloud House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Joseph Moor, Grocer (approx. 0.3 miles away); As you are on the old Glen Echo Trolley line… (approx. 0.3 miles away); The General Lafayette sign on the side of the garden… (approx. 0.4 miles away); Palisades Recreation Center (approx. 0.4 miles away); Native American Home Site (approx. 0.4 miles away in Virginia); Glenmore (approx. 0.4 miles away in Virginia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 11, 2019
3. Fletcher's Cove Sign
The marker can be found in the Fletcher's Cove section of C&O Canal Park which lies across the historic canal from the Abner Cloud House.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 346 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 11, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
