Scenic USA - Maryland

Each day Scenic USA presents a new and interesting photo feature from somewhere in the United States. Chosen from a wide variety
of historic sites, city scenes, backcountry byways, points of interest and America's best parklands, this site offers the viewer hundreds
of unique vacation destinations and photographic subjects. Each feature is coupled with a brief explanation. For further detailed
information, links to other sites are provided, but are never to be considered an endorsement.

Cecil's Old Mill

Cecil's Old Mill - Great Mills, Maryland

Photos by Ben Prepelka

     Here in St. Mary�s County, the first county established in Maryland, a small cotton town (Great Mills) grew up beside the Clifton factory. Built in 1812, the original water-powered textile mill was powered by the St. Mary�s River producing woolen and cotton goods, as well as milling grain and cutting lumber. Cecils Mill - Overshot Wheel After the soil no longer supported a substantial cotton crop, the mill was closed and its machinery moved to the Savage Mill.
     By 1900, John Cecil razed the old textile factory and erected a two and a half story roller mill, utilizing some of the original lumber and foundation. The old overshot wheel and drive gearing from the Clifton factory was also put to work. A fickle Saint Mary�s River lead to the adaptation of a diesel generator to power the mill.
     In 1959, the death of H. Robb Cecil signaled the end of Cecils Mill - Interior all the mill's activities. Much of the milling machinery survived, including the double rolling mill, corn grader, flour packer, sifters and mixers, grain polishers and dust collectors. The Cecil family donated the mill to the Saint Mary's County Historical Society. By the Bicentennial year the old mill housed local arts and crafts. With the mill refurbished and added to the National Register of Historic Places, Cecil's Old Mill and Historic District provide all the ingredients for an interesting visit. The mill continues as an outlet for local art, and the General Store, the Cecil home and old Holy Face Church complete this Southern Maryland landmark.

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