Editor’s note: Seasoned writer and journalist Kim Howard is covering life in southern Upshur County in this occasional pop-up series, ‘Southern Upshur County Living’ for My Buckhannon.
Fidler’s Mill, a historic landmark in southern Upshur County, is in desperate need of restoration. Located on a secluded single-lane road, the mill has succumbed to disrepair, surrounded by weeds that mask the waters of the Little Kanawha River. This once-vibrant hub processed grains and wool, and it served as a social gathering place for the community.
For over a century, Fidler’s Mill was vital to the local economy, grinding wheat, corn, buckwheat, and livestock feed. It also transformed wool from local farmers into yarn and batting for quilts. Built in 1821 by Daniel Peck and later owned by William Fidler, the mill operated successfully until floodwaters destroyed the dam in the early 1940s, ceasing its operations as a gristmill.
Following the closure, the mill had limited use for community events and was briefly converted into a barber shop and gasoline-powered gristmill. In 1979, the Grafton Coal Company purchased the building but abandoned plans for its use as an office. Eventually, the company donated the mill to the Southern Upshur Business Association in the mid-1980s.
Significant restoration efforts began under SUBA, which repaired siding, painted, and restored the porch. In 1997, Fidler’s Mill was placed on the U.S. National Registry of Historic Places. A year later, the Friends of Fidler’s Mill, a nonprofit organization, took over maintenance of the site.
Despite the extensive work, challenges mounted. The original 10-and-a-half-foot water wheel, which the group attempted to restore, was deemed irreparable and replaced. Today, however, the new wheel is obscured by overgrowth, and signs of neglect are evident: the new siding is damaged by invasive ivy, the porch paint is peeling, and trash accumulates.
“We need young people to get involved,” said Gail Bosley, a lifelong Upshur County resident and Fidler’s Mill volunteer. “We need volunteers and people to get interested in the mill again.”
Several longtime volunteers have recognized the limitations of age in maintaining the mill. “The people who have done all this work – we’ve aged,” Bosley noted, looking around inside the facility.
A restoration committee formed through SUBA is actively seeking additional support. Kevin Campbell, SUBA President, emphasized the need for volunteers capable of undertaking the physical labor involved. “We need funding,” he said. “We’ve attempted to get historic restoration grants, but there are so many loopholes that it becomes impossible.”
Amanda Hayes, a member of the restoration committee, echoed this sentiment. “We need new energy,” she said. “I’d like to see us be able to at least open again.”
Fidler’s Mill is located at 6612 Heaston Ridge Rd., Rock Cave, WV, and has a Facebook page for more historical context and photographs. Interested volunteers can contact Bill Price, a member of the Fidler’s Mill Restoration Committee, via bill.price2011@gmail.com. The next regular meeting of SUBA is scheduled for 6 p.m. on September 4 at the Banks District Volunteer Fire Department and Civic Center, where community members can offer help and suggestions for funding assistance.
“Together, we can revitalize Fidler’s Mill and bring it back to its former glory,” said Campbell.
Fidler’s Mill stands as a testament to the rich history of Upshur County, and with community support, it may once again thrive as a cherished local landmark.
Citation: Golden Seal, Summer 2002 Edition, Fidler’s Mill, Rediscovering an Upshur County Landmark, Jeffrey Harvey.
Citation: Upshur County Historical Society.
