There was a time in America, long ago, when everything was "green." All of our power was generated from renewable sources and all of our food was grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides made from fossil fuels. All of that has changed. Now very little is really "green" anymore. But "green" is making a comeback in this country, hopefully for the good of all. While all of these changes were happening across the country, one place has remained "green" all along. That place is Bear's Mill.
Bear’s Mill flours and meals are stoneground on the original French buhr stones, brought to the United States by Gabriel Baer. The process is the same today as it was in 1849, with one miller running the operation, water-powered turbines producing the energy to move the buhr stones and workers bagging the grain by hand. Bear’s Mill, an authentic example of a water-powered stone-grinding flourmill, is one of Darke County’s historical treasures and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Each product is whole grain and natural, meaning that nothing has been removed or added. Available products include yellow and white cornmeal, soft whole wheat flour, cracked wheat, rye flour and spelt flour. Cooking with Bear’s Mill flours and meals is a great way to take advantage of Darke County’s magnificent heritage while enjoying a healthy, delicious food and supporting a local historic landmark.
Bear’s Mill has been grinding grain for over 160 years using water power alone. More than just grinding, the machinery in the mill cleans the grain, sifts the flour and moves both from one process to the next, all with water power. After a while, when it became necessary in our society to have electricity, water power again provided the means to make it happen at the Mill. Over the years, increased electrical usage made it necessary for the Mill to purchase electricity from the power company. But the capacity to produce all of its electrical needs has been there all along, in the Greenville Creek. Soon Bear's Mill will be tapping the Creek again to make this a reality.
We still grind grain the old fashioned way, with water power, and soon we will be making our own electricity, with water power, too. Bear’s Mill received a grant from the Lydia Schaurer Memorial Trust to help cover the costs of planning and design for a project which will couple the Mill’s 160-year-old technology with modern electronic systems to generate electricity. Modern hydroelectric power generation systems have been installed in the powerhouse located behind the Mill by the dam and will be installed inside the Mill in the near future. While this modern technology is being installed, the integrity of the historic site will be maintained.
The wheels are still turning at the Mill thanks to a group of caring individuals. The mission of the Friends of Bear’s Mill is to provide a rich cultural experience and community-oriented events while preserving the Mill’s historical significance and natural beauty. Many interesting events have been planned at Bear’s Mill for the upcoming year. Visit www.bearsmill.com for the complete schedule or pick one up in the Mill Store.
Once "green", always "green". That's Bear's Mill.
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