Drake's Mills: Pond Lily Flour

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Photograph of the Frank A. Drake Home in Drake's Mill. Thanks to Allan Montgomery for sharing.

 

The Drake Family, representatives of Drake's Mills and the Edinboro Area Historical Society (EAHS) will have a special presentation about the origins and developments in the community of Drakes Mills during the May meeting of EAHS.

“Our group would be interested in hearing from anyone with information regarding the origins and developments of the Drake's Mills community,” Kathy Montgomery of EAHS said. “We are looking for old letters, photographs, ledgers, manuscripts and objects related to the families and business in the community. We are particularly interested in information about the gristmill which once stood at the end of the bridge on Route 99 near the old millpond.”

Drake's Mill is just 4.5 miles south of Edinboro in Crawford County on Route 99. It wasn't always called Drake's Mill The village first became settled in the early 1800's when a dam and grist mill was built on the Conneauttee Creek. The mill was constructed by settlers Simeon and Reuben Bishop. They also constructed a saw mill, a lath and shingle mill and a carding mill.

Then in 1820 John Marvin a businessman from Waterford moved to the area and purchased the dam and the mills. He also purchased 500 acres from the state, water rights and the 100 acre mill pond. He also built a General Store, a tub and pail factory. As others moved to the community they built a chair and furniture factory, a wagon and a blacksmith operation.

The thriving community was called Marvin's Mills.

For unknown reasons, Marvin sold his land and mills to Frank Drake in 1854.Soon everything became associated with Drake, including the name of the village and the different mills which were constructed earlier.

Drake installed more modern machinery in the grist mill. Some of the flour products produced were whole wheat flour, bread flour, cake and pastry flour, graham flour, pancake mix, pastry flour and corn meal. One of the most popular items sold, however, was fresh ground buckwheat flour, according to historical sources. The brand name for the flour produced was “Pond Lily Flour”.

Anyone who has artifacts, particularly those mentioned above is asked to contact Kathey Montgomery at 734-3562 or email at gardebien@verizon.net. Those with artifacts are encourage to bring them to the Edinboro Municipal Building so they can be displayed during the special presentation on May 20 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Several weeks later another similar presentation will be held at historic St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Drake's Mill. The Church was first built in 1851 several years after the first congregation organized. The date and times will be announced.

 

Edinboro 175

Thanks to Rachael Gilbert for sharing the photograph of the buckets hung to collect sap at Hurry Hill Maple Farm and Museum.

The Edinboro region is celebrating it's 175 anniversary this year. Many events are planned throughout the year by the Edinboro Area Historical Society. One event will be the dedication of an Historical Marker commemorating the Miracles of Maple Hill by award winning author Virginia Sorensen. Maple syrup played an important role in the history of the region and the book centers around one local Sugar House, the local hermit and many other local residents.

For more information, scroll down to previous post (s). Or click, Edinboro 175.

Maple Sap runs are over for this season with the warmer weather. According to many producers, it was a good run and the syrup is of superior quality this year. Visit one of the Sugar Houses in your neighborhood and purchase some locally produced, high quality maple products. For a list of Sugar Houses, Maple Syrup.

 

Fishing on a Spring Saturday

The weather was near perfect Saturday although it was a tad breezy on Lake LeBoeuf. It was Ryans 25^th birthday and we had been planning to fish all day. While the weather cooperated, the fish just weren't biting at least during the late mornin hours and most of the aftern.oon before we left to fish a neighbors pond.

But it was relaxing and very peaceful. And there was plenty of wildlife, such as the Blue Herons to enjoy. 

At the pond we caught some nice sized perch.

The Honeybees

The bees seem to be fairly content and there are no apparent problems. They do like their sugar water.The plan is to get an additional box within the next several weeks. Pictured is an old coffee pot we converted to use as a smoke.

The weather keeps on course and it won't ne long before the apple trees and berry bushes begin to bloom. That should make for some happy bees.

And Just for the Heck of It.

To make one pound of honey, the bees in the colony must visit 2 million flowers, fly over 55,000 miles and will be the lifetime work of approximately 768 bees.