The Mills of Three Springs Run

Since retiring in August of 2015 I've had time to look into things that I was long curious about but did not have the time to investigate.  Since then I have been looking into the changes that were made to the small stream called Hebble Creek in northwest Greene County.  I grew up in this area and know (or knew) the land well.

It turns out the creek had two grist mills on it between 1820 and 1900.  Both of these used rather ingenious methods to maximize the limited water supply and power several sets of  mill stones.  The course of the stream was heavily modified from what is now Fairfield-Yellow Springs Road all the way to the Mad River to feed the mills and control flooding.

The mill are gone now, and they are largely forgotten.  At one time though they were vital parts of the local community.

Here is an article with some details about these mills.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ruu2ky6siv0apjf/The%20Mills%20of%20Three%20Springs%20Run.pdf?dl=0

The Fairfield Mill at it appeared about 1920.  This mill was established around 1820, and was located just west of what became Central High School in Fairborn.  Photo courtesy of Ann Armstrong-Ingoldsby.