Durham Grist Mill & Furnace

Durham Grist Mill

It's another beautiful day on this Labor Day weekend, perfect for a ride in the country. Traveling back roads that meander through parts of Durham Township, we stopped at the Durham post office, which is located in the former Durham Grist Mill, which was built in 1820 on the foundations of the Durham Furnace.

"The first furnace was put in operation in 1727 in an area about one and a half miles up from the river precisely where the present gristmill now stands in the Durham Village center. The water power of the creek that flowed past the furnace was used to operate a number of forges and in working a huge bellows that produced the blast.

Former Entrance of Durham Furnace

"Important product was produced at the Furnace. A stove similar to the famous Franklin Stove was produced in Durham in quantity. The "Adam and Eve" stove was manufactured in 1741 onward . . .. The Furnace also produced shot and shell for the armies of George Washington during the War for Independence.

"The iron ore found in the hills of Durham was not of first class quality and the location of the Furnace vis-a-vis higher quality ore and good transportation lead to its demise, and thus ceased operation in 1791."

(Source: Durham Pennsylvania Historical Society, "History of Durham Township")

Namaste,

Chris