Description: The village of Gates Mills, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, derives its name from its founder, Holsey Gates, and from the importance of mills in this agricultural community. In 1826, the year of Gates Mills' founding, a sawmill was constructed to increase the lumber supply and attract new settlers. The following year, a rake factory was established, and by 1829 a gristmill was in operation. The Chagrin River was dammed to create a millrace that regulated the flow of water to the wheels that powered the mills. Shops and houses encircled the mills, which were then the center of industry in Gates Mills. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL07061
Subjects: Mills; Villages; Factories; City and town life; Rural Life
Places: Gates Mills (Ohio); Cuyahoga County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads: "Youngstown, Ohio: housing and mills" in both ink and pencil. There is also an affixed paper that reads "Houses and Mills, Youngstown Photograph by Edwin Locke; Courtesy of United State Film Service This photo must be returned to OHIO WRITERS' PROJECT 8 E. Chestnut St., Columbus, O." The picture had a field in the foreground, a row of houses in the middle ground, and mills in the background. In the field, there is a man who is standing and looking towards the houses with his hands in his back pocket. A cow is also visible in the middle of the field. The houses are all two-stories tall. Marked in ink on the front reads "5 1/4." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B14F11_001_001
Subjects: Youngstown (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Pictorial works; Houses--1920-1950; Mills and mill-work--Ohio
Places: Youngstown (Ohio); Mahoning County (Ohio); Trumbull County (Ohio)
 

Description: Caption reads: "McCoppins Mills, 11 Miles E. of Hillsboro, O." In the 1800’s and the early 1900‘s, Highland County was home to at least six different water powered mills along the Rocky Fork, which were important centers in rural life for grinding flour, cutting lumber, carding wool, and weaving blankets. The J. A. McCoppin Mill, located below the Rocky Fork spillway, was first built in 1810 by David Reece. After washing away in a flood, the mill was rebuilt in cut-stone style. Construction of a dam near McCoppin’s Mill began in 1949. The dam, which was conceived by frequent visitor Colonel Walter H. Hutchins, began operation in April 1953. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B01F17_021_001
Subjects: Geography and Natural Resources; Dams; Business and Labor; Mills
Places: Hillsboro (Ohio); Highland County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows the Wyandot Roller Mills building in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. The large white building is surrounded by three telephone poles and two horses and buggies. A man and woman stand outside on the side of the building, and another man sits in a buggy on the left. "Wyandot Roller Mills" is printed in large letters on the front of the building. M.F. Ricketts purchased the mill in 1913 and remodeled it, replacing machinery and increasing storage by building an addition. Photograph by Harry Evan Kinley (1882-1969), a native of Upper Sandusky. Kinley was active in local events and organizations, and spent his professional career as a clerk at his father's department store, and later as a traveling salesman for the Marion Paper & Supply Company (1934-1962). He was also an avid lifelong photographer, and the bulk of the Harry Kinley Collection is comprised of glass plate negatives documenting the Kinley family, the city of Upper Sandusky and Wyandot County and surrounding areas. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV30_B04F05_28
Subjects: Business--Ohio; Mills and mill-work--Ohio; Upper Sandusky (Ohio)
Places: Upper Sandusky (Ohio); Wyandot County (Ohio)
 

Description: Dated November 1940, this photograph shows a man operating a large paper machine at the Champion Paper and Fibre Company in Hamilton, Ohio. The Champion Paper and Fibre Company Plant was located at 601-619 NB Street in Hamilton, Ohio and covered approximately 60 acres along the Great Miami River. One of the largest coated-paper plants in the world, it began in 1893 by Peter G. Thomson (1851-1931) and was originally called Champion Coated Paper Company. The plant in Hamilton was built around 1902 and more buildings were added over the years as the company continued to prosper. In 1989, the Hamilton mill became the first paper mill in North America to recycle 100% of its solid papermaking waste and boiler ash, and the following year was awarded an environmental award for its efforts. In 2000, the Champion name disappeared as the company merged with International Paper Company. In 2001 the B Street mill was sold to Smart Paper LLC and continued to operate. Miami University bought several buildings in 2002. In 2004, the Knightsbridge property (in Hamilton) was sold to Harry T. Wilks who in turn sold it to Mahedra Vora and Timothy B. Matthews, who then turned the building into Vora Technology Park, a disaster recovery back-up data center. This photograph is one of the many visual materials collected for use in the Ohio Guide. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration by executive order to create jobs for the large numbers of unemployed laborers, as well as artists, musicians, actors, and writers. The Federal Arts Program, a sector of the Works Progress Administration, included the Federal Writers’ Project, one of the primary goals of which was to complete the America Guide series, a series of guidebooks for each state which included state history, art, architecture, music, literature, and points of interest to the major cities and tours throughout the state. Work on the Ohio Guide began in 1935 with the publication of several pamphlets and brochures. The Reorganization Act of 1939 consolidated the Works Progress Administration and other agencies into the Federal Works Administration, and the Federal Writers’ Project became the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio. The final product was published in 1940 and went through several editions. The Ohio Guide Collection consists of 4,769 photographs collected for use in Ohio Guide and other publications of the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio from 1935-1939. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F01_012_001
Subjects: Paper mills--United States; Workers; Industries--Ohio--Butler County; Thomson, Peter G. (Peter Gibson), 1851-1931; Champion Coated Paper Company; Champion Paper and Fibre Company; Paper mills--United States; Paper mills Equipment and supplies
Places: Hamilton (Ohio); Butler County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows the sawmill operated by the Society of Separatists of Zoar and dam on the Tuscarawas River, ca. 1890-1899. The sawmill was known as the power house after an electrical generator was installed. The dam provided power for all the mills in Zoar. Led by Joseph Bimeler (sometimes spelled Bäumeler) in 1817, a group of Lutheran separatists left the area of Germany known as Wurttemberg and eventually established the small community of Zoar in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. The community of Zoar was not originally organized as a commune, but its residents had a difficult time surviving in 1818 and early 1819. As a result, on April 19, 1819, the group formed the Society of Separatists of Zoar. Each person donated his or her property to the community as a whole, and in exchange for their work, the society would provide for them. Additional modifications to the society's organization were made in 1824 and a constitution established in 1833. In the decades following the establishment of the Zoar commune, the Separatists experienced economic prosperity. The community was almost entirely self-sufficient and sold any surpluses to the outside world. In addition to agriculture, Zoar residents also worked in a number of industries, including flour mills, textiles, a tin shop, copper, wagon maker, two iron foundries, and several stores. The society also made money by contracting to build a seven-mile stretch of the Ohio and Erie Canal. The canal crossed over Zoar's property, and the society owned several canal boats. The canal traffic also brought other people into the community, who bought Zoar residents' goods. By the second half of the nineteenth century, the community was quite prosperous. After Bimeler's death in 1853, the unity of the village declined, and by 1898 the Zoarites disbanded the society. The remaining residents divided the property, and the community continued to prosper in Zoar. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL00833
Subjects: Zoar (Tuscarawas County, Ohio); Society of Separatists of Zoar; Mills; Communal societies
Places: Zoar (Ohio); Tuscarawas County (Ohio)
 

Description: Taken by photographer Louis Baus, this photographic reproduction shows a view from the southwest of the Zoar sawmill and the dam on the Tuscarawas River near, Zoar, Ohio, ca. 1900. The sawmill was known as the power house after an electrical generator was installed. The dam provided power for all the mills in Zoar. Led by Joseph Bimeler (sometimes spelled Bäumeler) in 1817, a group of Lutheran separatists left the area of Germany known as Wurttemberg and eventually established the small community of Zoar in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. The community of Zoar was not originally organized as a commune, but its residents had a difficult time surviving in 1818 and early 1819. As a result, on April 19, 1819, the group formed the Society of Separatists of Zoar. Each person donated his or her property to the community as a whole, and in exchange for their work, the society would provide for them. Additional modifications to the society's organization were made in 1824 and a constitution established in 1833. In the decades following the establishment of the Zoar commune, the Separatists experienced economic prosperity. The community was almost entirely self-sufficient and sold any surpluses to the outside world. In addition to agriculture, Zoar residents also worked in a number of industries, including flour mills, textiles, a tin shop, copper, wagon maker, two iron foundries, and several stores. The society also made money by contracting to build a seven-mile stretch of the Ohio and Erie Canal. The canal crossed over Zoar's property, and the society owned several canal boats. The canal traffic also brought other people into the community, who bought Zoar residents' goods. By the second half of the nineteenth century, the community was quite prosperous. After Bimeler's death in 1853, the unity of the village declined, and by 1898 the Zoarites disbanded the society. The remaining residents divided the property, and the community continued to prosper in Zoar. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL00882
Subjects: Zoar (Tuscarawas County, Ohio); Society of Separatists of Zoar; Mills; Dams
Places: Zoar (Ohio); Tuscarawas County (Ohio)
 

Description: This mill was on the Venice mill-race of Erie County, Ohio. A mill-race is an artificial channel that was created to power mills. Many different types of mills were set up along the Venice mill-race. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B05F01A_023_1
Subjects: Water mills; Venice (Ohio); Erie County (Ohio)--History; Water-supply--Ohio--Erie County--Maps
Places: Venice (Ohio); Erie County (Ohio)
 

Description: Dated ca. 1930-1943, this photograph shows Beaver's Mill and a covered bridge near Hillsboro, Ohio, in Highland County. The photograph's caption reads "Beaver's Mill & Old Covered Bridge. Highland Co. a few miles from Hillsboro O. Rocky Fork Creek." In the 1800s and early 1900s, Highland County was home to at least six different water-powered mills along the Rocky Fork and were important centers in rural life for grinding flour, cutting lumber, carding wool, and weaving blankets. The 122 foot long truss Beaver Mill covered bridge was built in 1872 and torn down in 1955 for a new road project. This photograph is one of the many visual materials collected for use in the Ohio Guide. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration by executive order to create jobs for the large numbers of unemployed laborers, as well as artists, musicians, actors, and writers. The Federal Arts Program, a sector of the Works Progress Administration, included the Federal Writers’ Project, one of the primary goals of which was to complete the America Guide series, a series of guidebooks for each state which included state history, art, architecture, music, literature, and points of interest to the major cities and tours throughout the state. Work on the Ohio Guide began in 1935 with the publication of several pamphlets and brochures. The Reorganization Act of 1939 consolidated the Works Progress Administration and other agencies into the Federal Works Administration, and the Federal Writers’ Project became the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio. The final product was published in 1940 and went through several editions. The Ohio Guide Collection consists of 4,769 photographs collected for use in Ohio Guide and other publications of the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio from 1935-1939. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B01F17_047_001
Subjects: Water mills; Covered bridges--Ohio; Hillsboro (Ohio)--History; Mills and mill-work--United States
Places: Hillsboro (Ohio); Highland County (Ohio)
 

Description: William Corliss Mills, archaeologist for the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society (now the Ohio History Connection), at his desk in Page Hall, Columbus, Ohio, 1903. He was born on January 2, 1860 in Montgomery County, Ohio. He died on January 17, 1928 in Columbus, Ohio. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL08600
Subjects: Mills, William C. (William Corless), 1860-1928; Ohio Historical Society; Archaeology;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: This mill was on the Venice mill-race of Erie County, Ohio. A mill-race is an artificial channel that was created to power mills. Many different types of mills were set up along the Venice mill-race. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B05F01A_009_1
Subjects: Erie County (Ohio); Water mills--Ohio--History; Venice (Ohio)
Places: Venice (Ohio); Erie County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows an exterior view of the woolen mill and machine shop built and operated by the Society of Separatists at Zoar, ca. 1890 - 1898. The woolen mill was built in 1830 and torn down in the 1930s. Led by Joseph Bimeler (sometimes spelled Bäumeler) in 1817, a group of Lutheran separatists left the area of Germany known as Wurttemberg and eventually established the small community of Zoar in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. The community of Zoar was not originally organized as a commune, but its residents had a difficult time surviving in 1818 and early 1819. As a result, on April 19, 1819, the group formed the Society of Separatists of Zoar. Each person donated his or her property to the community as a whole, and in exchange for their work, the society would provide for them. Additional modifications to the society's organization were made in 1824 and a constitution established in 1833. In the decades following the establishment of the Zoar commune, the Separatists experienced economic prosperity. The community was almost entirely self-sufficient and sold any surpluses to the outside world. In addition to agriculture, Zoar residents also worked in a number of industries, including flour mills, textiles, a tin shop, copper, wagon maker, two iron foundries, and several stores. The society also made money by contracting to build a seven-mile stretch of the Ohio and Erie Canal. The canal crossed over Zoar's property, and the society owned several canal boats. The canal traffic also brought other people into the community, who bought Zoar residents' goods. By the second half of the nineteenth century, the community was quite prosperous. After Bimeler's death in 1853, the unity of the village declined, and by 1898 the Zoarites disbanded the society. The remaining residents divided the property, and the community continued to prosper in Zoar. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL00832
Subjects: Zoar (Tuscarawas County, Ohio); Society of Separatists of Zoar; Mills; Communal societies
Places: Zoar (Ohio); Tuscarawas County (Ohio)