Rote’s Mill/Penn’s Creek Feed Mill

Penn’s Creek Feed Mill was located along Penns Creek in Centre County, Pennsylvania.

---

Penn’s Creek Feed Mill was located along Penns Creek in Centre County, Pennsylvania. It is believed that Philip Kryder (also spelled Kreider) originally owned both the grist and saw mills. ^{1 3} In 1847, his heirs sold the property to Jacob Finkel. The original mill building was constructed around 1845. ³ In 1901, following a flood that nearly ruined him financially, William Eartle sold the sawmill, grist mill, and associated equipment to Simon G. Rote. ^{1 3}

Rote’s eldest son, Ammon, took charge of the sawmill and developed a reputation for his endurance and skill. ³ He often operated the sawmill for up to 20 hours a day to take advantage of high water levels and meet customer demand. Thomas Rote, the middle son, assisted their father in operating the grist mill and became a skilled millwright. The dam and floodgates were rebuilt in 1927. Simon G. Rote managed the mill until his death in 1935, after which ownership passed to his sons, Lester C. and Thomas. ² Flour production ceased in the early 1940s after the silk screen machinery wore out. ³ When Thomas died in 1953, Lester became the sole proprietor. ²

In 1954, a three-story concrete block addition was constructed, providing expanded office and storage space. ² New machinery was installed, including an 18-inch hammermill, two vertical feed mixers, a molasses feed mixer, and grain and seed cleaning equipment. All machinery was water-powered except for the grinder, which ran on a diesel engine. The mill utilized four turbines, with drive shafts connected to a series of gears and leather belts that powered the machinery. ³

By the 1950s, the sawmill was used only occasionally but remained functional. The feed mill produced poultry, dairy, and hog feed, along with specially toasted cornmeal, which was shipped in five- to ten-pound bags to customers in every state. The Rote family also operated a grain house near Coburn Station to receive and ship grain brought in by local farmers. Under the Rotes, the grist and saw mills became the last of their kind still in operation in the area. ¹

Lester Rote died in 1957, and the mill passed to his widow, Orie, who continued operations for another three years before selling the property to Mike Martin. ^{1 3} The sawmill was dismantled in 1965, and the grist mill closed in 1970. ³ Martin moved the feed and fertilizer business to downtown Coburn. His son, Bob Martin, later operated a barber shop from the former mill office.

---

Sources

1. “Rote’s Mill / Penn’s Creek Feed Mill.” MillPictures.com.
2. Dubbs, Paul M. “Grist Mills at Bellefonte, Coburn Manufacture Flour, Farm Stock Feed Variety.” Centre Daily Times, 10 Mar. 1954, p. 5.
3. Brueggebors, Barbara. “Rotes Mill grinds grist for historians.” CentreDailyTimes,5 Apr.1986, pp. A1-A8.