February, 2004


	Millville Woolen Worsted Mill Early 1900s The first woolen mill in Millville occurred in 1813. This early industry along with the building of grist mills constituted a natural economic development as the area’s population began to grow. Charles W. Eves built the above mill in 1866 on the east bank of Little Fishing Creek, north of Millville, about half way to the village of Iola. Over the years the mill changed owners several times. Enterprise Worsted Mill that began in Bloomsburg in 1891 moved to Millville in the late 1890s to conduct its operation in this building. The Historical and Biographic Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, published in 1915, referred to it as one of Millville’s important businesses. At one time it made blankets for the U.S. Army. However, it shifted its emphasis to manufacturing woolen yarns and had a weekly capacity of producing 5,000 pounds. Textile mills in New England and Philadelphia were the primary customers. The plant used both steam and water power to run its machines. According to Dean B. Girton and Paul Trescott, authors of Millville the First 200 Years, Amory Skerry bought the mill in 1914 and was the last person to run it. When it ceased operation, Wayne Hartranft purchased the building and converted it to a hatchery. It was a landmark in the Millville area for seventy-four years until a fire destroyed the structure in 1940.

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