The Old Duncan Mill of Killbuck

March 4, 2008

An early business in Killbuck was the Duncan Mill.  Originally the mill was built by Oliver Huston (Husted) along the Killbuck Creek in 1820. Knowing that the railroad had been extended to Millersburg in 1854 (but discontinued for lack of funds), John Duncan (father of J. C. and William Duncan) bought the mill in 1857.   He believed that the railroad would eventually be continued southward to Killbuck once funds became available to provide good transportation for the mill.

During the Civil War, both J.C. Duncan and William Duncan had enlisted.  At the end of the war the Duncan brothers returned to Killbuck and took charge of their father’s mill.  They entered into a successful business partnership that lasted for several decades. There was one flour mill, called the Killbuck Mill, one saw mill, and one planeing mill; all belonging to J.C. and William Duncan.  The railroad, of course, was a great advantage not only for Killbuck, but also for the Duncan Mills.  The flour mill produced the famous brand “White Lily” flour.  Local folks, with horse and wagon, would haul coal and produce to Killbuck and take back White Lily flour, sugar, and other items which came into Killbuck by train.   Even a famous basketball team from the area once carried the White Lily name.

Eventually the mill went out of business and was abandoned.  The frame structure, about 150 years old, was condemned by the state fire marshal, and the vacant four-story 40 by 50 foot mill was deliberately burned to the ground on Oct. 1, 1961 by firemen.  An estimated 35 fire departments from central Ohio were represented at this spectacular practice session.

Duncan Mill Front View	Duncan Mill Rear View
Duncan Mill Dam & Water Wheel	Practice Fire on Abandoned Mill 1961

Click here to see full-size photos

As a note of interest, the Holmes County Room of the Killbuck Valley Museum currently has on display photos and actual mill stones from the old Duncan Mill.  The museum also has a miniature animated replica of the old mill that fascinates children and adults alike.