Powell-Liberty Historical Society

Along the Olentangy River at the Highbanks Columbus Metro Parks, an interpretive sign highlights The Mulzer Mill home and mill complex which was located directly across the river. It explains how the complex contributes to the history of southern Olentangy Valley and the importance it played in the settlement of Delaware County. Barely any physical traces remain today of the grist mill, sawmill and the old Mulzer home which were located just a few hundred feet south of the intersection of Powell Road (Rt. 750 and the Olentangy River Road (Rt. 315). For years travelers going north along Rt. 315 would wait in traffic and see the old ruins of the Mulzer home which now are gone. Both the sawmill and grist mill were one of the longest-lived enterprises in Delaware County.

Milling was a critical part of life in early settlements. Processing grain and lumber was needed to sustain life and build homes and towns. Poor roads contributed to the desire to avoid long trips to a mill and transport goods back home. To service the scattered populations, many mills were needed. In 1849 Liberty Township had 8 mills. However, steam powered mills were coming about in the early 1840’s to make water powered mills less critical to local folks. Railroads also added the ability to transport goods for long-distance, which continued to reduce local milling.

When the Ohio Department of Transportation researched the land owned by the Mulzer complex stood, the chain of property titles was necessary for the construction and widening the intersection of Rt. 315 and Rt.750. When compared to 19th century written history, differences in accuracy and details created some conflicting stories. It is not unusual that local oral history and interviews used long ago may contain errors. Therefore, these may contain inaccuracies, we must evaluate all sources carefully and, when necessary, arrive at the most reasonable interpretation of events.

There were numerous owners of the mill in the early days, most of which were referenced in the1880 edition of The History of Delaware County. Many were not known to be successful operators and consequently changes in investors and ownership occurred. Property titles researched by ODOT show that in 1806 James Kilbourne, who had acquired the land through the U.S. Military District, sold a parcel of land to George Case (ODOT notes amount parcel was difficult to read). In 1815 George Case sold 5 acres to John Case. John appears to be one of the earliest operators who built a sawmill on the property c. 1815. A gristmill was soon added. From that point, the chain of titles indicated over twenty transfers of title.

Above is a picture of the sawmill and gristmill circa 1900 looking northeast. The two buildings are attached, the sawmill is to the left, and the gristmill is behind the tree.

Herman Mulzer changed the struggle to make a successful enterprise of the mill when he purchased the land in 1877 from John M. Case. The 1880 edition of the History of Delaware County stated, “he was known to have made a successful enterprise of it”. The chain of title indicates that Herman purchased “the mill lot” for $3,000.00. An 1880 plat map shows Herman owning 18 acres in lot 12 and 5 acres in lot 5 east and west of the river. Upgrades to the sawmill included a 50-hp engine purchased in 1897 for an up and down saw. The new engine allowed the operation of the mill to run all year and not be subject to water levels that affected the operation.

Herman Mulzer was born September 6, 1841, in Germany and died January 19, 1906. His wife was Anna Katharina Ell was born January 26, 1844, in Marysville and died June 13, 1926. Both are buried in Oak Grove Cemetery. They had five daughters named Anna, Matilda, Floral, Herminie, Ida, and son George. Herman lived in the Fourth Ward of Columbus which is now known as German Village. He was a carpenter by trade. Examples of his woodworking can be seen in the Martin Perry House in Powell including an elaborately carved bed and wood mirror frame.

Not long after purchasing the mill property, Herman and his wife built a home on the west side of the Olentangy River. It was located on the hillside and overlooked the river from a porch that ran the length of the home.

Herman and Katherine enjoyed entertaining his customers from Columbus. Hoster, Born, Schlee and the Columbus Brewing Company joined forces in 1904, creating one of the region's largest brewing corporations. Brewery men, sometimes called the “Beer Barons”, would take the train from Columbus to Powell. Herman would pick them up in his wagon and take them home. There they would spend time listening to music and enjoying each other's company, fishing in the mill pond or playing cards. Herman’s wife Katarina was said to be a good baker and offered pies, cakes and baked goods she made there to the workers and guests. His home was sometimes referred to by locals as an “Inn” suggesting that an overnight stay was desired or needed.

Above is Herman entertaining his customers and friends in the “Grape Arbor” at his home. The next picture is either picking up his customers and friends from Columbus or dropping them off. Regardless, the south edge of the Powell train depot is seen.

Herman’s mill produced beech wood chips which the brewery’s used for beer making. One of his specialties was crafting kegs for brewing beer for use by the Columbus brewers. Barrels were likely loaded with beech wood chips and shipped by wagon and train. A story that the finished beer kegs were once floated down the Olentangy River to Columbus for the beer brewers cannot be confirmed. Floating the barrels down the river may or may not have happened. Regardless, it makes a nice story and would have been a site to see.

The photo below shows Herman on the left with George and an unidentified fellow with a two man saw posing with an advertising sign for Born brewers featuring keg heads in 1901. The young boy yielding the hatchet added some theater to the photo. There are many large trees that have been cut and laid in the background to deal with. It appears that this is along the Olentangy River Road near the mill complex (note the telephone pole in the background).

When Herman Mulzer died in 1906 his son George took over the business until 1910. An original letter from George Mulzer dated August 9, 1906, to Mrs. Herman Mulzer is held at PLHS. In the letter he agrees to pay her the sum of $200 “as a rental for the Herman Mulzer estate for each year of my occupation, said lease to begin August 1st, 1907”. While he mentions that he is responsible for expenses incurred for machinery, wagons and ordinary “breaks”, he further states Mrs. Mulzer can occupy the front rooms of her home during the period of his lease. She may also “pasture her cow and raise chickens”.

The image of George's letterhead used for the rental agreement in 1906 is interesting in that it summarizes the products offered by the mill complex.

On April 25, 1910, there we have two warranty deeds transferring 19.25 acres of property from Katherine Mulzer, widow of Herman, with other heirs to Charles G. Schenck Sr. The other heirs included George Mulzer, Flora J. Newkirk, Herminnie M. Bower, Anna C. Case, Matilda H. Hudson, Ophelia M. Mulzer, George C. Newkirk, John F. Bower, William P. Case and Harry J. Hudson. The second deed shows Katherine Mulzer, Ida B. Granger, and William H. Granger transferring interest to Charles G. Schenck.

From Misti Spillman: Notes from Anna Case stated the mill had a workshop and stove in it. It had one burr and four stones. The sawmill was connected to the grist mill. A bakery was said to be present but whether in the mill or house remains unknown. Mrs. Mulzer was said to make baking goods for workers and guests.

Upriver from the mills there was a dam constructed of two wooden walls filled with rock rubble, from three to five feet in width. Such a dam was referred to as a timber crib dam and in this case was approximately five feet in height. Timber crib dams required frequent repairs as they were easily damaged by seasonal weather storms. Waterpower was used to turn the wheels below the mill. This water power allowed power to be transferred to the mill’s machinery.

Herman's daughters Tille and Anna Mulzer can be seen standing on top of the dam. Based on their images and birthdates, Anna 1880 and Tillie 1883, we estimate this picture to be circa 1900.

The back of the picture below states “George Mulzer & Walter Pfaff, Grandpa Mulzer made boat and carved swan head; boat was named Myrtie, for Myrtle Willis (Olen R.R.)” with whom George was keeping company. They are above the crib dam on the mill pool across from the Mulzer mills site and Herman's home across the road. We can see the effectiveness of the dam creating the pool of water which could be diverted to the mill for power.

It has been written that the great flood of 1913 was in part attributed to the June 1912 eruptions of volcanoes in Alaska. Enough fine ash was emitted into the atmosphere in the Northern Hemisphere to block sunlight and create peculiar weather patterns across the country. After a heavy snowfall in Ohio, 6” to 11” of rain fell from March 23-27, 1913, an equivalent of 2-3 months of rain. Consequently, a great surge of water swept through and destroyed the dam and sawmill. The grist mill survived but sustained considerable damage. Downriver, the city of Columbus and surrounding regions were severely impacted by this catastrophic event.

At the time Charles G. Schenck purchased the property in 1910, both the sawmill and grist mill were standing. But three years later things changed. The flood of 1913 critically damaged the sawmill and rendered it inoperable. It was subsequently torn down, and the grist mill remained but was did suffer. The flood damage is clearly visible in the photo below; the sawmill is gone, and the crib dam stones lay across the river. The young lady’s name is believed to be Francis Case.

Below is a copy from letterhead titled “Olentangy Valley Mill, Grandpa’s Corn Meal, Old Process with Waterpower” which suggests that the grist mill could still be operating between 1910 and 1913. Charles was selling corn meal and had partnered with his son Clinton who still lived in Columbus. Charles was living in the old Mulzer home at the time. We cannot determine when the grist mill ceased to operate but most likely the flood would have seriously affected its operation.

This letterhead was found with a handwritten poem titled “The Frost is on the Pumpkin” by an unknown author. There is no date, but it would be after 1910 and suggests the grist mill may have been partially operational.

The mill pool and the Olentangy River were well known for their smallmouth bass fishing. An article by Don Mack, Columbus Citizen Journal Outdoor editor, wrote an article titled “Fishing Unbelievably Wonderful in Olentangy Back in the Early 1900’s”. He referenced from an old hunter-trapper magazine circa early 1900’s a section of the river just south of Powell Road and at the dam. The story was written by E.M. Jocelyn, Delaware County, and talked about him and his brother going fishing with H.L. Goodrich, a familiar name to people in the community. “They found nice chub minnows used for bait by the thousand in Bartholomew Run which runs into the Olentangy River just south of the old mill pool. The instant their minnows touched the water; a large bass would rise and grab it. This continued until they had 72 fine bass, ranging from one pound to four. On their way home they stopped at every neighborhood house, gave them some fish for their next day meal, and every family that lived in the community enjoyed a mess of fish from that day’s catch”.

Another story about plentiful fish in the Olentangy river was written by Jo Cornish and told by Lula Case and her sister Jane; “She walked up the road to her grandparents’ mill there was a ramp, and the fist flew upon it. Lula had only to pick up the fish and place them in her pail and take them home for dinner."

The chain of title researched by the Ohio Department of Transportation indicate there was no transfer of title between 1910 when Charles Schenck purchased the “mill and house lots” to 1933 when Richard Fenstermaker took title from Clinton Schenck.

Three photos with dates written on each of the backs are on record at PLHS. Each gives us additional glimpses into the final years of the mill and the Olentangy River Road.

Photos of the grist mill from September 1924 below show steam powered, heavy road construction equipment near the grist mill.

Two other photos were taken looking north and south at the Olentangy River Road (Rt. 315 today). The view south was taken just below the Mulzer home then owned by Charles A. Schenck. You can see gravel piled along the west side of the road and in front of the stone wall ready to be used. Looking north, more heavy equipment is seen improving the road. Both photos are dated September 1924.

A fourth image seen below is of the gristmill in the latter half of the 1920's shows a sign "Public Sale". On the left we see two small boats, bed springs, wooden kegs, and many people curious to see what is for sale. Based on the chain of title, we could presume this sale of the contents and other goods may be leading to the final days of the grist mill.

Any images taken after these are not on record at Powell Liberty Historical Society. If any exists, please let us know.

The final chapter in the Mulzer Mill was during the ownership of Clinton B. Schenck. His father, Charles G. Schenck had four sons; Earl, Clinton, Charles and Harvey. When Charles died in 1933, the property was passed to his son Clinton. Clinton worked in the Franklin County’s recorder's office and later retired to live in the Mulzer home.

There was an unknown period that the old Mulzer home was lived in by Clinton and his wife Mildred Innis Schenck. Mildred’s family owned the Innis Tavern in Columbus. My parents, Oscar and Marge Schenck, would tell us children about parties, such as New Years Eve, that took place in the old home. The story went that they “rolled back the carpet and danced the night away”. They often referred to it as the old “Inn”, most likely due to Mulzer’s use for his customers and friends back in the day.

At some point after Clinton retired from Franklin County Recorder's Office and moved from Columbus to Liberty Township, he and his wife Mildred moved from the old Mulzer home to a cabin on the south side of Powell Hill. The title and deed transfers get fuzzy at this point, but we know the Mulzer property was split and sold in parcels. One piece of the property became owned by Richard C. Fenstermaker and his wife Marion Schenck Fenstermaker who lived on the south side of Powell hill. Clinton lived that small cabin until his death in 1968. Mildred was there for a few more years but was later put in a rest home until her passing in 1984. A six-acre parcel on the SW corner of Rt. 315 and Powell Road (Rt 750) was later deeded as an inheritance to David Fenstermaker, son of Richard and Marion Fenstermaker.

As a young boy, I can recall walking with my father through the ruins of the Mulzer home after it had burned down in 1957. It had been vacant for some time. My father kept a horse in the barn that was just south on the hill from Mulzer’s house. It was there that I would sit on a large millstone that was set at the driveway not far from the road while waiting for him to finish his chores. This millstone was from the old grist mill across the road east of what is now Rt. 315. I believe my father, with help from family and friends, eventually hauled that millstone up Powell Hill and to our home at 1544 Powell Road. My grandfather, Oscar Adolf Schenck, built the home about 1926 which my father inherited upon his father’s passing in 1947. A major renovation of the home took place in 2013 by Bob and Beth Buehler, and most of the original structure and outbuilding remains.

My father, Oscar C. Schenck, continued hauling millstones from the gristmill once it was torn down. The exact dates are not known but based on when his father passed in 1947 and his subsequent inheritance, the remodeling of the home took place afterwards, the early 1950’s would be a logical guess. One complete millstone was embedded in our front entry outside with broken pieces from another millstone also embedded around the complete stone. Another large millstone, flat on both sides, was also brought to the home and leaned against a tree. Below, you can see my youngest sister Sandy sitting on one of the millstones which giving perspective to the size of the stone.

In 1978 Oscar C. and Marjorie Schenck sold their home at 1544 Powell Road and the fate of the millstones became unknown until 2013. It was then that new owners had recently purchased the property. Bob and Beth Buehler were renovating the Schenck home which had changed hands several times before but later became vacant. Upon a chance visit seeing construction activity I met the new owners. I related our family history to them and that my grandfather had the home built by Mr. Samuel Sulser c. 1926. They were very gracious and interested in the home’s history. I asked if they knew of or found any millstones while giving them a short history of the old mill and our home. They took me to the side of the ravine and showed me the exposed top of one large millstone. It was the only one they found; the millstone against the tree was gone.

In 2024 we were in touch with Bob and Beth again, and they told us they had dug up the millstone and surprisingly discovered a second nearby. We asked if we could stop by and photograph them. I was surprised to find what appeared to be a burr stone made most likely of sandstone, with sections bound together with a large metal band. Burr millstones were commonly used in grist mills for grinding. The other stone was thicker and appeared to be granite. Unlike the burr stone, which was flat on both sides, this one was only flat on one side suggesting it was a "runner" stone. The Burr stone I believe was embedded by Oscar C. Schenck's into the home's front porch c. 1950. Whoever removed later for remodeling had buried it long before the Buehler’s purchased the property. Concrete still filled the center hole which corresponds to my memory of it being the stone embedded on our home's front entrance. On the day we took the photo, we had our 3-year-old grandson, Oscar Schenck, with us. Despite the youthful distraction, you can get some perspective on the size of the stones.

The history of the Mulzer Mill complex came into play again when the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) did a study on the site due to the upcoming reconstruction of the intersection of Rt. 315 and Rt. 750. Bruce Aument, an archaeologist for ODOT, and Donald Burton of Gray & Pape Inc., researched the history of the Mulzer home and mill complex. A comprehensive research paper was written and can be found on the PLHS website under “History, Reference Documents and Archaeological Archive Reports”. Bruce made a presentation several years later and recounted what they learned. Their work allowed them to recognize remaining pieces of the original Mulzer home. Features such as a stone staircase, the driveway with boulders at each end, cistern, chimney and other features were photographed. At the end of his presentation, Bruce lamented that after all their work, the parcel of land was sold, and the new owners were building a large home on the site with a driveway that would run directly through those remaining features. The good news would be that the final remnants of the home were documented for posterity.

Though the mills and home are gone, their legacy endures—in local memory, surviving artifacts, and in the stories of the families who lived and worked along the Olentangy River. The Mulzer Mill complex remains an important chapter in the history of Powell and Liberty Township, illustrating the evolution of early industry, community life, and the enduring ties between people and place.

Notes on Millstones: “They are laid one on top of the other. The bottom stone, called the bed, is fixed to the floor, while the top stone, the runner, is mounted on a separate spindle, driven by the main shaft. A wheel called the stone nut connects the runner’s spindle to the main shaft, and this can be moved out of the way to disconnect the stone and stop it turning, leaving the main shaft turning to drive other machinery. This might include driving a mechanical sieve to refine the flour, or turning a wooden drum to wind up a chain used to hoist sacks of grain to the top of the mill house. The distance between the stones can be varied to produce the grade of flour required; moving the stones closer together produces finer four.” - Wikipedia

References:

Mulzer Mill by Misti Spellman 2013

Mulzer Mill, research paper by Dottie Haggard 2013

Mulzer Mill at High Banks Metro Park, Burton & Aument, ODOT 2013

History of Delaware County 1880

Valerie Mattingly, research for as volunteer for Metro Parks 2013

Zepp Publications, Beer Brewing, 2013

“Liberty Township Early History”, author & date unknown

History Today, January 2007, Jo Cornish-Gerwig

Tim S. PLHS Program Oct 9, 2017 – O’Shaughnessy Dam