Valley Girl Views: Watsontown Flour Mill

The Watsontown Flour Mill

John McFarland Jr - Age 29 in 1881 -

"on of the most correct and reliable young men in business in this county"

1876 invoice

Located along 8th Street in Watsontown

On the 1883 Fowler Map Of Watsontown

It's Number 19 - follow the train, it's the second building above the train tracks

From the Record & Star Anniversary Edition 1907

"John McFarland, one the best known early residents of this section, was a native of the north part of Ireland, and was born in 1817. Be came to this country when about sixteen years of age. and soon developed the sterling, industrious and ambitious qualities of his race. After working for a number of -years on a farm, near what is now the city of Reading, he became a contractor on the Little Schuylkill Railroad, and assisted in laying the first strap-iron rails on that road. Later he was a contractor on the Catawissa Branch of the P. R.R'y building a portion of the road and of the Big Mountain tunnel, near East. Mahanoy Junction. After completing this work, ;Nit,. McFarland came to this sect ion, purchasing two farms and the grist mill near Warrior Run Church. These properties were greatly improved with new buildings and the mill placed in first, class condition. In 1808 Mr. McFarland built the Watsontown Flouring Mill, operating it and dealing in grain for over twenty years, during which he refitted the mill with it complete equipment of full roller process machinery, making it one of the best in this part of the state. In 1890 he sold the mill to Follmer, Fowler & Co. and retired from active business. Mr. McFarland built: the handsome home, caner Main and Eighth streets, now occupied by his son, and in many ' other ways showed his progressive spirit. He died in 1807, loved and respected by all who knew him. "

Built by John McFarland, above it is shown on the 1887 Sanborn Fire Map"

"McFarland, who conducted the business for some years. The present firm, Follmer, Fowler & Company, became proprietors in April, 1890. The building is situated on Eighth street, and is a three-story structure; the daily capacity is one hundred barrels of flour and ten tons of chop." - Bell's History of Northumberland County

From the Watsontown Record & Star Anniversary Edition, 1907

The Watsontown Steam Flouring Mills

One of the Oldest and Most Successful Manufactories in this

Section --- It's Superior Products Widely Known

Proprietor C.C. Follmer

Built in 1868 by John McFarland, operated by him and his sons for over 20 years.

Remodeled and equipped with latest full roller process machinery

Building is 50x60, three stories with with engine house attached.

April 1 1800 (Should read 1890 I believe) Mill was purchased by William Follmer, J.C. Fowler, And C.C. Follmer

Operated for 10 years, then sold to junior partner C.C. Follmer

100 barrels a day, runs continually, never shutting down for even a day.

Head miller is A.C. Bersinger

Bulk of the grain comes from local farmers.

H.L. Follmer

Horace L. "Harry" Folmer was the brother of Clayton Claiborne Follmer, who died unexpectedly at age 44, in 1908.

The Mill was purchased by John H. Hefty in 1913.

Harry J. Hefty on the right, at his mill, with his father on the left.

There was a fire at the Hefty Mill in late 1948. The southern wall was burned through in a 12 foot square area, and a number of timber beams were charred. Operations continued without interruption, and repairs were being made by employees on off-duty hours.

In March 1965, $70 was taken from the cash box at the Hefty Mill.

Aerial view showing Philco & Zenith

The Hefty Flour Mill is on the left by the large parking lot.

For a time there was a car wash at this location. Today there is an apartment building at this location, with a sign out front naming it the Roller Mills building.

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An Index Of Where The Mills Once Stood

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1890, Mahanoy City

Watsontown Flour Mill

Built By McFarland

Owned by H. L. Follmer

Sold to John H. Hefty in 1913

John Zaner McFarland was born in 1852 in Tamaqua, the son of John & Sarah [Zaner] McFarland. He married Mary Ada Dean. John died in March of 1926 at age 74. He and Mary are both buried in Watsontown Cemetery.