Historic mill sows new life
by Scott Nicholson
In the late 1800s, farmers all over Meat Camp would load up their wheat and corn and haul it in horse-drawn wagons to the Winebarger Mill.
Now, members of the Winebarger and Moretz families, as well as people in the Meat Camp community, are seeking to restore the mill to working condition, forming a nonprofit organization to raise funds and do the work.
Ray Moretz, whose grandfather William Winebarger owned the mill, said a lot of the structure is in good shape.
The current mill was built in 1910, though a previous mill on the site was built in 1873 or earlier. That mill burned down and the "new' structure was built on the site.
"A lot of the mill is in good shape," Moretz said. "It was a working mill about five years ago."
The mill used a waterwheel to turn two sets of grinding stones. Roller mills were used to process wheat and rye. In later years, as mills became rarer, the Winebarger Mill served a wide region of farmers.
Moretz is a historian and genealogist and has been collecting information on the mill for 30 years. He said historical accounts vary, but the mill might even have operated in the mid- to early-1800s.
The mill has been owned by five generations of the Winebarger/Moretz family and it was the last working grist mill in Watauga County.
"The foundation is sound," Moretz said. "It's showing its age, but the main problem is that it's leaning. A local architect, Patrick Belville, looked at it and has a plan for straightening it up."
Moretz said the same system used to straighten the mill could be utilized to support it until other improvements were made. However, much of the decision to renovate will hinge on the cost.
"We'd like to make it a working grist mill again," Moretz said. "Phase one will be to brace it to buy time. We have to raise $10,000 for the bracing."
The group is in the process of getting its nonprofit corporate status so contributions will be tax deductible.
The restoration will be discussed at the John Moretz family reunion, taking place July 25 at the Boone National Guard Armory. The reunion begins at 10 a.m. and is open to family and friends.
Contributions can be mailed to the Winebarger Mill Preservation Society Inc., 241 Elk Knob Drive, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Now, members of the Winebarger and Moretz families, as well as people in the Meat Camp community, are seeking to restore the mill to working condition, forming a nonprofit organization to raise funds and do the work.
Ray Moretz, whose grandfather William Winebarger owned the mill, said a lot of the structure is in good shape.
The current mill was built in 1910, though a previous mill on the site was built in 1873 or earlier. That mill burned down and the "new' structure was built on the site.
"A lot of the mill is in good shape," Moretz said. "It was a working mill about five years ago."
The mill used a waterwheel to turn two sets of grinding stones. Roller mills were used to process wheat and rye. In later years, as mills became rarer, the Winebarger Mill served a wide region of farmers.
Moretz is a historian and genealogist and has been collecting information on the mill for 30 years. He said historical accounts vary, but the mill might even have operated in the mid- to early-1800s.
The mill has been owned by five generations of the Winebarger/Moretz family and it was the last working grist mill in Watauga County.
"The foundation is sound," Moretz said. "It's showing its age, but the main problem is that it's leaning. A local architect, Patrick Belville, looked at it and has a plan for straightening it up."
Moretz said the same system used to straighten the mill could be utilized to support it until other improvements were made. However, much of the decision to renovate will hinge on the cost.
"We'd like to make it a working grist mill again," Moretz said. "Phase one will be to brace it to buy time. We have to raise $10,000 for the bracing."
The group is in the process of getting its nonprofit corporate status so contributions will be tax deductible.
The restoration will be discussed at the John Moretz family reunion, taking place July 25 at the Boone National Guard Armory. The reunion begins at 10 a.m. and is open to family and friends.
Contributions can be mailed to the Winebarger Mill Preservation Society Inc., 241 Elk Knob Drive, Boone, N.C. 28607.