It has been more than three decades since the Killbuck Mill was razed, but its memory is being preserved through a new display at the Killbuck Valley Museum.
A pair of four-foot diameter stone wheels used for grinding grain at the mill are a principal part of the display that also includes feed bags, diagrams of the operation, pictures and a replica of a grain shaft. Scales that were used at the mill will be added later.
The mill wheels that weigh about 1,000 pounds each were rolled into the building and set in place. The display was opened to the public around the first of May. Set up was done by Dave Reed, curator, and members of the museum board.
Killbuck Mill, a 40-by-60-foot four-story structure, was operated by a water wheel propelled by the Killbuck Dam, says Lilian Duncan, granddaughter of William Duncan, co-owner of the mill. "However, in 1825, the dam was removed when the Killbuck Creek was straightened," she says.
According to Duncan, the grist and saw mill, known originally as Oxford Mill, was built on the east bank of the Killbuck Creek around 1821 by Oliver Hustead. In 1857, it was sold to John Duncan, and at about 1873, it became known as Killbuck Roller Mills.
In 1874, John Duncan moved from Millersburg and retired from the business, says Lilian Duncan, a lifelong Killbuck resident.
John C. Duncan, the second child of the mill's second owner, moved from Millersburg to Killbuck in 1858 and became the new manager of the mill. In 1866, his brother, William, went into partnership with him. The brothers operated the mill under the name of J.C. and W. Duncan. In 1918, William bought the business from his brother.
The mill was known for producing a special cornmeal and "White Lily Flour," which was patented by William Duncan.
The display at the museum includes two portraits of the owner. A miniature replica of a working grist and saw mill has tiny barrels and flour sacks with the logo "White Lily Flour."
William Duncan, who operated the mill until his death in 1928, had five grandchildren: Lilian of Killbuck and Leona Duncan Lowery of Mississippi, who survive; the late Lois Duncan Feight, Laura Lida Duncan Sprague, and William Duncan Jr.
The mill remained in the ownership of the Duncan heirs, and was eventually used as storage.
The saw mill on the north side of the building was connected to the main structure during this time, Lilian Duncan says.
Eventually, the old mill fell into disrepair. On Oct. 1, 1961, the Killbuck Fire Department burned the 140-year-old historic building after the state fire marshal condemned it as being unsafe. The site of the old mill is now a parking lot for VFW Post 7079 in Killbuck.
"The Duncan heirs are honored to have a display recognizing (our) grandfather," says Lilian Duncan, who is a historian and an active member of the Killbuck Valley Historical Society.
She also serves as a director of the Killbuck Museum and is involved with the volunteer program.
Killbuck Valley Museum is open 1-5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Oct. 31.