Valley Girl Views: The Lewisburg Woolen Mill

The Lewisburg Woolen Mill, located along Water Street. Today this location is the Street Of Shops.

In 1854, Michael Ficthorn built a mill in Lewisburg. The mill burned to the ground within a few months of being completed. In 1857 the steam flouring mill was reported to be "56 feet front, by 60 in depth, four stories high, six run of stone and about fifty horse power" The mill could produce 200 barrels of flour a day. Owners were listed as Nesbit, Hayes, and Fichthorn.

In 1866, Mark Halfpenny came to Lewisburg after his mill near Laurelton had had burned to the ground. He bought the old steam mill property, turning it into the woolen mills. Although some of the wool was from local sources, most was brought from New York.

In 1878, the woolen mill was struck by lightening, catching it on fire. The mill was again promptly rebuilt.

In 1887, a fire began in one wing of the building. It was contained before spreading to the rest of the facility, but there was considerable damage. Repairs were made

Then in 1891, its thought that a pile of wool spontaneously combusted. According to the Lewisburg Journal, the fire burned slowly, and the roofs were metal and slate. There was plenty of water and little breeze - "the flames ought to have been conquered sooner than they were, but fate ruled otherwise".

Most of the machinery was on the lower level, and was saved from fire - but was badly damaged by the water used to squelch the flames. The upper stories of the mill, all except "the east wing facing the river" were completely burned out.

The Mill was rebuilt yet again. The present building, today the Street Of Shops, was four stories with two east wings.

" After picking our our small trunks and eyeing each other, we packed into a coach drawn by two slow horses and drove to the mouth of a covered bridge, which was also used for the horses or mules. Paid our toll. Thru the dust we emerged and a big woolen mill greeted us. "

Lewisburg Journal 29 Dec 1927, Thu • Page 4

See more about when the Lewisburg Bridge was a covered bridge, here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/05/when-lewisburg-river-bridge-was-covered.html

A Time Line:

Flour mill owned by Michael Fichthorn stood originally on the spot. It burnt down and was rebuilt
1866 - Halfpenny purchased the mill and converted it into a woolen works
1878 - Mill burnt to the ground. Fire caused by lightening. "Promptly rebuilt"
1887 - Fire in one wing of the mill did "considerable damage"
1891 - Fire at the Mill, July. 50 people were employed at the mill.
1902 - Woolen company advertising that they need 30 women and girls to operate machines and finish pantaloons.
1916 - the Woolen Mill "Which had been idle for some time" had been leased by Percy Whitaker of Philadelphia and Providence, who will start up the plant installing 48 additional looms for work on mens wear. (June)
1917 the woolen mills were sold, becoming The Lewisburg Mills.
The mill was at that time reported to be manufacturing dress goods fabric in Navy Blue, Brown, and Green, "a big seller in New York City."

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Find More Stories & History Of Lewisburg Here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/08/lewisburg-pa.html

And More Stories & History From Surrounding Towns Here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html
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Pennsylvania House occupied the mills before it became the Street Of Shops.

From the Textile World Record, Volume 33, 1907:
W. O'Leary has accepted a position as overseer of weaving at Lewisburg Woolen Mill, Lewisburg Pa. he was former employed at Dresden Ohio.

Sometime prior to 1891, Mr Aug Schreyer joined the partnership with Halfpenny.