Anderson's Mill
This grist mill was built about 1760 by Archibald Irwin, Sr. and rebuilt in 1856 after being destroyed by fire. It is located on the beautiful Conococheague Creek . Nearby are the Irwinton Homestead , the "Hays Fording" Double Arch Stone Bridge and the Witherspoon’s "Red" Covered Bridge.
For additional information about the mill or the tours, call (evenings only) (717) 328-3335 or (717) 597-3480 or email millerr@innernet.net.Things to See
Over 25 Belts running
10 Belt Elevator running
Water Turbines working
15 pieces of equipment running
Rope Hoist operating
Wooden Cogs working
Hydro Electric being made
Lots of Pulleys and Shafts turning
Directions: Take Interstate 81 to Exit 3 - Greencastle, PA, go west on Route 16 approximately 8.5 miles to Anderson Road, go left .8 mile to the mill and homestead. The Witherspoon’s "Red" Covered Bridge and Hays Bridge are located near the mill. From the mill, continue on the Anderson Road to the stone bridge and then bear left to see the covered bridge.
Witherspoon’s "Red" Covered Bridge
It spans over the Licking Creek, near Hays Fording, where it flows into the West Branch of the Conococheague Creek. It was built in 1883. The length is eighty-seven feet; width fourteen feet; and wing walls forty-five feet. It was built in 1883 by S. Stouffer. It is the only covered bridge in use today in Franklin County.
Hays Bridge
The double-arch stone bridge, known as Hays Bridge, is over the West Branch of the Conococheague Creek in Montgomery Township, near the junction of Licking Creek. The length is 147 feet and the width is 15 feet. It was rebuilt in 1928 by John Graham, Cove Gap, PA.
Homestead
Built in the 1760’s by Archibald Irwin, Sr. His son Archibald and wife Mary succeeded to this homestead. Their daughter Jane married William Henry Harrison, Jr. and became mistress of the White House for President William Henry Harrison in 1841. Their daughter Elizabeth married John Scott Harrison and became the mother of Benjamin Harrison, the twenty-third President. The house is built of stones of nearby fields. It is gray blue limestone and the walls are almost two feet thick. There are two stories and an attic. Each story being twelve feet high, unusual in a Pennsylvania farm house. The main part of the house, 36x33 feet, was built first, but a kitchen wing was added, 18x33. Each room has its own fireplace. The last owners were William and Dorothy Bowers. They are deceased and the property was recently sold (1997).