1429 Rockmill Place NW
Lancaster, OH  43130

Park Open Year-Round, Dawn to Dusk

Rock Mill, the gristmill, is only open during Rock Mill Days, May through October. See the Calendar of Events for details.

Rock Mill

4+ acres in Bloom/Greenfield Townships in the west-northwest part of the county.

The site was acquired 2003 by donation from Robert and Rita Stebelton.

Some of the activities you can enjoy at this park are viewing Rock Mill and Rock Mill Covered Bridge, birding and nature watching, photography, hiking or walking, dog walking, picnicking.

Rock Mill

Probably the crowning jewel of Fairfield County Park is Rock Mill.

The first mill (1799-1822) on the site was destroyed by flooding.  Built in 1824, Rock Mill was one of a dozen mills in the area whose power source was the Hocking River.  It was in operation as late as 1905 when it was closed.  For nearly 100 years, it sat vacant and in disrepair.  After acquiring the site in 2003, a labor-intensive restoration was begun.  A replica of the 26′-diameter all-wood waterwheel was crafted and installed in September 2013; it is the largest of its kind in the state.

In 2017, Rock Mill roared to life!  People from all over the U.S. and beyond visited to see the mill in action.  Come see it for yourself during Rock Mill Weekends when it is open for tours Saturdays and Sundays, May through October.  See the Calendar of Events for details.

Read more about Rock Mill

Rock Mill Covered Bridge

Next to the mill is the iconic Rock Mill Covered Bridge. The original bridge was built in 1849.  It was known as Loveland Mill being owned by Joseph Loveland and Hezekiah Smith.  It was on a route where men brought good from  Detroit.

A second bridge replaced the first in 1880.  No history has been found.

The current bridge was built in 1901 by Jacob R “Blue Jeans” Brandt (1836-1911).  Brandt was born in Greenfield Township in Fairfield County.  In 1858 he began working as a building planner for Fairfield County Commissioners.  His works include churches, schools and bridges.  He built the Mink Hollow Covered Bridge and is thought to have been the builder of Hartman No 2 Covered Bridge,  He also built the McLeery Bridge, a bridge near Loucks Mill, and the Peter Ety Bridge.  His last bridge was Rock Mill Covered Bridge for which he was paid $ 575.00.

It is no longer open to traffic.  It provides a lovely view down over the falls and into the gorge and there always seems to be a breeze to enjoy.  This is a favorite spot for photographers.

The falls of the Hocking River power Rock Mill.

Shelters & Facilities

Rock Mill Covered Bridge

Rock Mill Covered Bridge

Reservations:  No

Electricity:  No
Bathrooms:  Portable Outhouse, during summer months

Description:  This bridge may be used for small gatherings or ceremonies with less than 50 people.  There is a paved path from the parking lot.

Parking

Near the mill, there is a paved parking lot with six parking spaces.  Please, when at all possible, save these spaces for the handicapped or infirm.  Just before reaching the mill, on the right, there is a large parking.