Waterside Woolen Mill

Waterside Woolen Mill was built on land deeded by the heirs of William Penn to Abraham Oberholtzer in 1785. In 1806 John Snider purchased the land and erected a mill on the banks of Yellow Creek. It primarily produced traditional Pennsylvania woven blankets. The mill was closed in the 1960s and remained shut for several decades until the current owners opened it as a tourist attraction and antique store. For a while they resumed production of woolen blankets on a small scale, however the mill is not currently operating. Inside Waterside Woolen Mill, you will find equipment that is several decades old and has not been replaced; this equipment was designed to process raw wool into woven products. Looms date from the 1870s while other equipment was manufactured in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Other antique pieces of machinery include a picker, a “Moulton Card,” and wrap winding equipment. In addition to large equipment there are old coils, production labels and several other items leftover from the production process. In general, the Woolen Mill provides marvelous photo opportunities in whatever direction you look!