Mansfield, Indiana

Mansfield
Today we will visit the Mansfield Roller Mill at Mansfield Indiana in Parke County.
From the book:
West Central Indiana Day Trips

Greetings, today we will visit the Mansfield Roller Mill at Mansfield Indiana in Parke County.

James Kelsey and Francis Dickson built a roller mill at the site that became Mansfield in 1819. A roller mill uses cylindrical rollers to grind grain. Millers sometimes installed roller mills instead of the more familiar gristmill that uses stone wheels to make flour and meal from grain. Since mills were an essential part of agricultural Indiana, it was common for
Communities tend to develop around a mill. Kelsey called the town New Dublin and the mill became Dickson Mill. The name would change over the years as new owners came and went. The original thirty by forty foot building grew as its requirements changed. A sash mill to saw lumber was added to the mill. Later on, an owner added a carding mill to process wool. The carding mill untangled wool shorn from sheep and processed it into rolls. Once in a roll, spinner could spin the wool into yarn or used as batting for quilts and blankets.
A Growing Village
Over time, the village of New Dublin became Mansfield. The mill attracted farmers to the mill to process logs into lumber, wool into rolls and grain into meal or flour. Excess wool, grain and lumber found its way to market in other areas. Tradesmen like blacksmiths, a cooper and a wagon maker came to serve the local population. A general store sold much needed merchandise, salt and sugar. Other businesses and a church developed as well.
Decline
Better road systems made travel easier and steam power replaced water power. The mill fell into disuse and the population drifted away. Today only about twenty permanent residents make their home in Mansfield.
State Historic Site
In 1991, the Indiana State Museum acquired the mill through the generosity of its owners. The State of Indiana restored Mansfield Mill allowing visitors to see the still intact machinery on the three-story mill. The turbine that powers the mill still functions in lieu of the more familiar water wheel. For more information on the mill, contact:
Historic Mansfield Roller Mill
6089 South Mill Road
Mansfield, IN
(765) 344-1412
http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/3262.htm

The Parke County Historical Society has placed an historical marker at the site. It reads:
Title of Marker:
Mansfield circa 1820
Location:
West of the covered bridge, Mansfield. (Parke County, Indiana)
Installed by:
Erected by the Parke County Historical Society 1968
Marker ID #:
61.1968.3
Marker Text:
First named New Dublin. Later called Strain’s Mills before being named Mansfield during the 1830s

Mansfield Village
Visitors can also enjoy historic Mansfield Village. Mansfield Village hosts several popular events each year. Vendors sell a wide variety of arts, crafts and foods at these events. The Mansfield Covered Bridge Festival in October is the most popular, but there are many others including the Mansfield Village Mushroom Festival and the Mansfield Village Cornbread & Bean Day. Visitors can stay in the Mansfield Guest Inn.

Built in 1867, the 247-foot long Burr Arch Construction Mansfield Covered Bridge is the longest covered bridge in Parke County, a county famous for its covered bridges. Joseph J. Daniels built the bridge. Daniels migrated to Park County in 1850 and began a bridge building career in 1861, during which he would build twelve covered bridges in Parke County. Nine of his Parke County bridges still survive. He built twenty-eight bridges in Indiana of which eighteen survive. The bridge is open to foot traffic at all times. During festivals, people fill the bridge, admiring its beauty and construction techniques. Photographers can capture incredible photos from a wooden deck that allows scenes of the bridge, mill and village.

Mansfield Village
Visitors wishing to stay at Mansfield can contact:
Mansfield Guest Inn
812-251-7660
http://www.mansfieldrestoration.com/Mansfield%20Guest%20Inn/Mansfield%20Guest%20Inn%20Home.htm
https://www.mansfieldvillage.com/

Author Paul Wonning – Mossy Feet Books
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This podcast is based upon my book, West Central Indiana Day Trips. You can find the book on my website, www.mossyfeetbooks.com. It is available in a number of formats including ebook, softbound and audio book on Amazon as well as many other online book retailers. You may also purchase the book direct from me, the author, on the website.
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