French's Mill, located at Fairground Road 54 in Augusta, West Virginia, is a three-story wood-frame building with a metal roof, asphalt siding, and a concrete foundation. Built in 1911, it stands on the site of a previous grist mill that was destroyed by fire in the 1890s. The structure was originally water-powered, but was converted to operate by electric power in 1949 and ceased operations in 2000.
The mill was updated in the mid-20th century to accommodate different types of grain, showcasing the evolutionary changes of these industrial facilities. In 2014, it was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Currently owned by the Croucher family, the mill is slated for renovation. The family plans to house an art gallery on the first floor, a model train exhibit on the second floor, and a wildlife collection of furs and pelts on the third floor. To fund these renovations, they currently operate an on-site thrift store, with all proceeds going toward the project.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Friendly Jane
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