Evening star., 1934-07-04

u Id Pierce Mill in Rock Greek
Park. one of the finest LX-
amples of the early mills in
~ this section, is 10 be restored
as it was when built 103
years ago and operated for the beneflt
and delight of the thousands of Wis
itors to the park.
From 1901 20 1897 Pierce Mil
ground the meal and made the flour
for WashingtonianS and nearby farm
ers, and especially in the early days
of the National Capital its duty miller,
ISsac Pierce, and his son Abner c.
Pierce, supplied these needs TO many
of the prominent families of Wash
ington. Since 1897 the huge wheel
has remained idle. its machinery has
rusted and deteriorated and in lste
years it has served as tea house for
the refreshment of visitors.
The National Park Service Of the
Interior Department conceived the
idea of putting the old mill back to
work. restoring it and operating it as
of old. Secretary Ickes liked the plan
and readily granted an allotment Of
S19.250 to cary it out. Before many
months have passed. the wheel will
be churning the waters again and the
huge stones aybe-stacks
of wheat brought in by nearby Mary
land farmers.
That phase of the operations ap-
pears to be rather obscure at the
present time. Enterprising publicity
men connected with the Public Works
Administration visualize stacks of
meal and flour piled high on the dusty
floor of the old mill Secretary IckeS
apparently was less informed about
it. He appeared interested in this
speculation of the future activities
of Pierce Mill raised his eyebrows
a bit and smiled.
officials reason that if some of the
country's surplus wheat can be sent
to Washington it might be ground
into flour for the benefit of families
on the Districts relief rolls. But at
least, they point out. the machinery
will work just the same without corn
or wheat to grind and as an educs-
tional experiment it should be OF
special interest to thousands of Wash
ington school children who never
saw mill operate.
Studies are being made of the IN
terror of this old mill so that no mis-
takes will be made in the restoration
The history of Pierce Mill, one OF
the best-knoWn landmarks about
Washington, is rather meager as to
known facts. The site, however, was
purchased in December. 1894, by
Isaac Pierce and his son. In 1901
they built the mill of lasting stone
and, without interruption for 96 years,
it ground meal and pumped water for
its various owners.
Last Used in 1897.
1t was last operated by a miller
named A. P. White in 1897.
On July 29, 1890, the mansion, the
mill and the storehouse, together with
slightly over six acres of land, were
sold to the Government for $9,278.
Except for use as Summer tea
house, where the visitors may wander
about the place, the mill has been mors
or less kept closed. Its picturesque
location by the side of the creek al
one of the main entrances to the park,
however, attracts the eye Of every
visitor.
Some years after the mill was built.
it was decided over to another son,
Joshua Pierce, who constructed the
house which stands across from the
old mill. In middle life, Joshua Pierce
became known internationally as a
horticulturaliSt. He imported hum
dreds of rare trees. shrubs and plants
from other States and also from Eu-
rope. The garden of his residence be-
came famous in Washington and at
tracted many visitors yearly.
Joshua Pierce took pride in this
work and he wanted the National
Capital to benefit from his trees and
plants. He gave hundreds Of them to
the city and supervised their planting
Many Of the great elms, jumpers and
other trees in Lafayette Park were
planted by him and are his lasting
memorial in Washington.
The old house in its exterior is OF
that sturdy type of architecture as
sociated with the Pennsylvania Dutch
of about 1920 It's interior is in keep
ing with the grace and elegance OF
some of the fine old homes of Mary
land and Virginia The house also,