Moody and Thomas Mill Site

The mill foundation and exhibit are across the Cuyahoga River from Lock 29.

NPS / Arrye Rosser

Quick Facts

Location:

Park at Lock 29 Trailhead, 1648 Mill Street, Peninsula, Ohio 44264. Take the Towpath Trail south across the river.

Significance:

This mill was busy grinding for almost a century. It was a testament to the farmers shipping out grain first on the Ohio & Erie Canal and later on the Valley Railway.

Designation:

Peninsula Village Historic District; Ohio to Erie Trail; Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area; Ohio and Erie Canal District

Amenities

6 listed

Accessible Sites, Audio Description, Benches/Seating, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Wheelchair Accessible

Peninsula founder Hermon Bronson knew how to take advantage of a natural fall in the Cuyahoga River. In 1832, he built a water-powered grist mill here, beside the Ohio & Erie Canal. Local farmers came to the mill to have their grain ground and then shipped out to distant markets on canal boats. When the Valley Railway arrived in 1880, it competed with the canal. To get goods over the river to the new station, the mill built a bridge from its upper level to the east bank. Wagons heavy with ground grain and feed crossed over and were offloaded onto freight cars.

In 1902, Chandler Moody and Charles Thomas bought the mill and enlarged it. They continued to mill flour and feed until 1931, when a fire burned the mill to the ground. While the dust from grinding grain is highly combustible, questions have remained about the fire.

For more history, head north to Lock 29 or head south to Deep Lock Quarry. For your safety and to protect park resources, do not climb on the stone ruins.