Gone, But Not Forgotten: Hinkletown Mill

Gone, But Not Forgotten: Hinkletown Mill

In 2008, the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County created a calendar series entitled “Gone, but not Forgotten” as a reminder of some things that aren’t here anymore. The Hinkletown Mill was the featured image for May of that year and was painted by J. Richard Shoemaker.

Artist’s Notes

Another landmark now gone. The old building resonated with Lancaster County history and I was fascinated with its massive presence in Hinkletown. It was located on Route 322 east of Lancaster.

General History

The first mill was built from logs by George Hinkle. The second mill was built by Jonathan Hinkle in 1797. It was constructed using stone standing an impressive 4.5 stories with a 50′ x 70′ footprint.

Records indicate a third mill was built by either Hinkle, Bushong, Wentz, Shiner, or Martin in 1830.

Photo by Jim Miller from 1987.

The mill bore a sticking resemblance to the Zook’s Mill, with its crescent peak windows, in Upper Lampeter Township. That mill was built by John Bushong in 1857. The catshead is almost identical to the one on the Lower Cloister Mill in Ephrata Twp/Boro., with its gingerbread.

The mill operation was accomplished by three turbines to power the sometimes flour, grist, and sawmill. There was no headrace to speak of and only a 50′ tailrace. Production peaked at 50 barrels of flour a day.

Photo by Jim Miller from 1992.

The building began to deteriorate in the 1990s until it was torn down in the 2000s to widen US 322 to enable a bridge replacement over the Conestoga River by the mill.

The Google Map below shows where the Hinkletown Mill was once located.

Information and images courtesy of Millpictures.com

About the Artist

J. Richard Shoemaker, or Dick as he is better known, has incorporated both fine art and commercial endeavors into his lifestyle. He was president of Maclay & Shoemaker Graphics from 1970 to 2001 and is now engaged in freelance commercial illustration from Lancaster’s home studio. Dick paints watercolors of the surrounding countryside in his spare time, frequently of scenes that have since disappeared. He also likes to paint views from his travels in the U.S. and England.

Born in Washington, D.C., on August 2, 1941, he has resided in Lancaster County since 1943. He became a commercial artist in York in 1962, worked for Studio K in Lancaster in 1963, and co-founded Maclay & Shoemaker Graphics in 1970.

During the early ’70s when Dick met well-known artist Bruce Johnson who got him interested in fine art and from whom he took his first watercolor instruction. Dick became a signature member of the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society and has exhibited at Long’s Park, Mount Gretna, and Lititz Art Shows. He has also had a one-person show at Lebanon Valley College and a gallery show in Hershey.

Married, with a son, Dick enjoys playing trombone with the Malta Band of Lancaster and a game of tennis on the weekends. Model railroading is another favorite pastime that dovetails with his artwork, and he often scours nearby railroads for an impressive locomotive or scene to paint.

Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County

The Trust was established in 1966 to help “stem the rapid destruction of historic properties in Lancaster County.” Through the years, the Trust has been active in helping to preserve many historic properties in Lancaster County that contribute to their respective communities as unique places for people to live, work, and play.

Our equation for success has been working for over 50 years. Look around you and know that our advocacy and direct action have resulted in saving hundreds of historic structures and other sites throughout the county. The flip side is that not everything can and should be saved. The Trust continually faces this delicate balance and works closely with all parties involved to reach an equitable decision for all. Sadly, it sometimes takes an irreplaceable loss to a community before preservation moves higher on the priority list.

Consider joining the Trust today.