Perched along the banks of the beautiful Holly River (of Holly River State Park fame) near Replete, West Virginia, is a much more hidden, much lesser-known attraction than the aforementioned Holly River State Park. Its name? Mollohan Mill, one of the last grist mills of its kind in the nation, found right here in West Virginia.
Built in 1894, Mollohan Mill was used by the local community for nearly 60 years.
Then, in a tragedy that shook the community, an epic flood destroyed this community staple, sweeping away the Mollohan Mill dam and one water wheel in 1953.
For decades after this destructive flood, the ruins of this historic mill sat silent.
But in the 1980s, the Mollohan family rallied to breathe new life into the old structure, rebuilding the dam and replacing the missing water wheel. In 1982, Mollohan Mill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, this two-story frame, hewn post and beam timber constructed building with its gable roof and nearly all original components stands proudly on a cut stone foundation in its original location in Webster County. The water of the Holly River rushes by, flowing over the mill dam in a tiered cascade. Massive boulders line the river bed, forming smooth rock beaches and jagged rock ledges.
As if the history and the beauty of this significant site aren't enough to lure you in for a visit, here's one other thing to know about this unique grist mill: West Virginia's very own Mollohan Mill is notable as one of the few remaining turbine driven grist mills in the entire United States.
Don't delay; add a trip to this very nearly one-of-a-kind grist mill perched along the Holly River to this year's West Virginia bucket list. And don't forget your camera! Mollohan Mill is located at 1505 Poling Rd in Hacker Valley, West Virginia, about 30 minutes west of Holly River State Park. Have you ever been?
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