Beverley Mill is one of the 'local' places that I have seen for years and years but never before explored. The mill was built in 1742. It was originally named Chapman's Mill after the father and son enterprise that built and ran the business. The mill has a rich history. One of the many uses of the mill was as a meat curing and distribution center by the Confederates during the Civil War. The mill was burned by the Confederate Army while leaving the area after the First Battle of Manassas. By 1876, the Beverley family had restored the mill ruins to operational status and the mill was then known as Beverley Mill.
The mill was built in a stacked rock style and is seven stories tall. Beverley Mill is believed to be the tallest stone building in the United States. (I'm guessing the measure is of natural, uncut stone as there are plenty of buildings made of 'stone' that are taller.) The mill was in good general condition after a restoration effort in the late 1980s and early 1990s. A fire set by an arsonist in 1998 destroyed the majority of the wood in the mill structure.
The remainder of the drive gears for the grind stone.
An up close look at the 'stacked rock' building technique.
The power wheel. Not the original for sure as the builders would have used wood in 1742.
This is a pulley situated over one of the doors used to load grain into the mill. Yes, that is a rock built into the stacked wall. And yes, the pulley is attached to the rock.
In 2004, the first steps were taken to stabilize the ruin's walls. Exposure to water, vibrations from a nearby railroad track, and high winds threatened to bring the seven story walls down. The stabilization system uses internal bracing bolted through the stone work to keep everything standing. For now.
Beverley Mill stands within 150 feet of I-66. Thousands of motorists speed past the mill each day. For many years I also passed by the mill and always wanted to explore the site. Usually the gate is closed and access restricted to the mill. I found this out today while talking to one of the caretakers. The gate was open so I drove up to the mill. Almost immediately after stopping the car I was startled by a knock on the driver's window. A man politely, but firmly asked me what I was doing there. I explained my desire to explore the site and take photographs of the mill. The caretaker explained that he had to lock the gate when he was done mowing and trimming the property, so he guessed "you have 20-30 minutes if you want 'em." I thanked the man, grabbed up my gear, and started shooting.
This little stone building is the Beverley Mill Store. The store is much newer than the mill, and now functions as a classroom of sorts for groups wishing to learn more of the Thoroughfare Gap area's history. The mill grounds are quite large and the group dedicated to the preservation of the Beverley Mill's ruins uses the property for educational and fund raising efforts.
