By Ken Drenten

Fowler’s Mill is the home of Fowler’s Milling Co., near Chardon, Ohio. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

Fowler’s Mill, built in 1834, has been a working grist mill for generations near Chardon in Geauga County. The mill is the sole survivor of a group of mills built in the 1830s on the Chagrin River.

If you’re fortunate enough to visit Fowler’s Mill, you’ll find it’s a bit like coming home. The country store in the front of the mill is packed with all the mill’s baking mixes, jams and jellies, kitchen essentials and much more.

We visited this mill in the summer of 2012 when I was doing research and taking photos for my book “Waterwheelin’: A Traveler’s Guide to Ohio Mills.” Most of the information from that book (now out of print) is now contained on this website.

I was able to get an impromptu tour and talk with one of the employees as she operated a grinder and dispensed flour into paper bags in the back of the mill. She was also the one who rang up the cash register when we were done shopping in the mill store.

The gristmill was originally powered by a center-discharging turbine wheel that turned the French buhr stones. In 1879, the mill’s turbine was replaced with a 13-foot wooden waterwheel. Steam power replaced the waterwheel in 1906 and a steel overshot waterwheel was installed in 1911.

The gristmill operated nearly continuously for well over 100 years before ceasing operations in 1966. New owners purchased and refurbished the mill, resuming operations in 1987.

Today, grinding of whole wheat flour, corn meal, corn flour and baking mixes is done using electric-powered stone grinders purchased from an old mill in Georgia.

Fowler’s Mill country store is jam-packed with baking mixes and kitchen supplies. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

Fowler’s Milling Company produces a complete line of mixes for pancakes, waffles and mixes for baked goods. The Mill Store on the premises offers their own products as well as many other foods, cooking supplies and kitchen goods. (By the way, this is a great time to stock up for all that autumn baking.)

Fowler’s Milling Co. products can be purchased at the mill store and online, and shipped anywhere in the U.S. If you get a chance, though, visit them at 12500 Fowler’s Mill Road, Chardon (800) 321-2024.

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Ken Drenten is creator and manager of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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