FPS staff report
September 23, 2008
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| BRICKS GALORE! Dave Dray of Specht is shown above laying the addition to the brick patio in front of and beside Wathey’s Railroad Station at the Algonquin Mill Farm Complex. |
School is in session, mornings are cool, and days are getting shorter. It’s fall and time for the annual Algonquin Mill Festival.
The 38th annual Algonquin Mill Festival will be held Oct. 10-12 at the Mill Farm complex located four miles south of Carrollton on SR 332. The farm is owned by the Carroll County Historical Society (CCHS) and is supported by the proceeds of this event. Volunteers work year-round to maintain several log homes, schoolhouse, flour mill and acres of grounds.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Volunteers built a new roof over the lower pavilion which is a food service complex. The complex has grown considerably and continues to grow. The steel free-standing structure was built over the existing buildings and according to Mike Mangan, farm manager, “This is a fine example of what old men can do when they are motivated.”
The brick patio around Wathey’s Railroad Station will be complete by the festival. Dave Dray of Specht, who runs the HO model layout, is putting the finishing touches on the patio on the side closest to the entry gate. The first part of the patio was laid in 1991 and then the front was installed.
The new section will run from the end of the track tapering to the back corner of the station. Benches will be placed for visitors’ comfort. CCHS President Dave McMahon helped bring down thousands of old bricks to use around the mill grounds. McMahon stated, “We are trying to make improvements with modest resources. We are recycling the old bricks. There is no sense putting down new bricks when we have 100 year old bricks to place around a 106 year old station.” McMahon and Dray explained while they try to replicate details as they were, they don’t want history to get static. “We want to add to history but at the same time keep living. Each year we try to add a new feature or correct past mistakes.” Dray is working on restoring the inside of the station and is researching to find the exact colors used.
The train display is both historic and modern. The display is a layout of the railroads that serviced Carroll County. The Wheeling and Lake Erie ran from East Canton to Carrollton and the New York Central ran from Minerva to Piney Fork. Audio sound and an onboard camera allow visitors to experience the sights and sounds of “riding the rails.”
SLAUGHTER HOUSE
A timber frame structure built around 1900 was constructed on the mill grounds. The original structure was owned by the German family who lived outside Dellroy on Explorer Rd. and owned a butcher shop in Dellroy. The structure was donated to CCHS by Irvin, Faye and Dan Little of Dellroy. Work continues on restoring the slaughter house to its original state. Doors are being installed using the salvaged track and wheels and the original heating stove was installed in the corner after being sandblasted and painted.
Carrollton resident Harry Hill is building the fire box for under the scalding tub and a round tub that supplied hot water. Using old paving bricks, Hill will build the brick box and plans to install the chimney.
Paul Knoebel, who has been volunteering his time on the slaughter house project, told the FPS Clarke Ball of Kilgore will being doing the timber framing display. This will allow Knoebel to go back to working with the kids while they put up a timber frame building. Kids get to take a shot at drilling holes and constructing the barn. “I am glad to be able to bring this display back to the festival,” stated Knoebel.
CRAFTS
Pumpkins are the new item in the farm house this year. Wanda McCaulley and Margie Champer have been busy making pumpkin decorations to be available for sale during the festival. Other craft items they offer are snowmen, placemats made from old greeting cards, crocheted Christmas trees, horses, napkin rings and other items, along with rugs and pillows.
Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission to the festival is free with an $8 per vehicle parking fee. Primitive camping is available at $15 per night. For more information about the festival call 1-877-727-0103 or visit www.carrollcountyohio.com. |
