This early photo from the late 1800s captures the essence of the mills in PA.
HISTORY
Shank’s Mill, in Waynesboro, PA was built in 1857
Shank’s Mill, located in Waynesboro, PA, was built in 1857 by Christian Stouffer on land he purchased in 1853 from Peter Benedict. Originally named Springdale Mills after the surrounding area known as Springdale Downs, the mill was transferred to Christian Stouffer’s son, Benjamin, upon his death in 1867. In 1888, the property changed hands to Charles Buhrman through a sheriff’s sale. By 1905, Charles sold the 15-acre property, including the mill, water rights, and the brick miller’s house, to Edward Shockey and his wife, Emma.
In 1928, Edward Shockey and his second wife, Lila Belle, sold the property to Hobart and Mary Shockey, who renamed it Shockey’s Mill. The entire property was sold to Elmer and Helen Shockey in 1932 for just ten dollars.
The name Shank’s Mill was adopted in 1935 when Wilmer and Edna Shank purchased the property. Throughout their lives, they successfully owned and operated five different grist mills in PA. After 1935, Wilmer managed both Shank’s Mills—one in Emmitsburg, MD, and the Waynesboro, PA mill—until he sold the Emmitsburg mill to his eldest son, Weldon Shank. In 1940, Wilmer retired from milling and sold the Waynesboro mill to his second son, Odell, and his wife, Yula. Odell ran the mill successfully until his death in 1973.
Following Odell’s passing, Yula Shank dedicated herself to the preservation of Shank’s Mill as a historic site, ensuring that future generations could witness a water-powered operating grist mill built in the 1800s. She successfully petitioned the Pennsylvania Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places, leading to Shank’s Mill being approved as a national historic site in 1975.
Adrian, the son of Odell and Yula, grew up at the mill and learned the operation alongside his father. He has lived within a few hours of the property and returned on weekends to help maintain the mill. In 1981, he purchased the land over which the mill race lies to protect it from nearby housing developments. Yula willed the property, mill, and its machinery to him, and seven years after her death, he received the title to the property in 2013. Adrian, along with his wife Sara and their daughter Elizabeth, plans to restore and preserve Shank’s Mill, one of the notable mills in PA, for future generations.
Files coming soon.
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