CENTERBURG — Nearly 50 people gathered on Saturday to celebrate the legacy of the Centerburg feed mill at 108 N. Hartford St.
Standing on the Heart of Ohio Trail, part of the Ohio to Erie and Great American Rail trails, they dedicated a historical marker honoring the mill that played a crucial role in village history.
The mill dates back to 1899 and holds many stories, as do other points of local pride along the Great American Rail Trail.
“I think we all like to hear those stories,” local historian Gloria Parsisson told those assembled.
In January 2023, the Rails to Trails Conservancy and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation launched a program to tell those hidden histories.
The Pomeroy Foundation funded the first 12 markers. The partnership intends to expand the program over time.
“Centerburg was lucky enough to have a sign. So this is one of 12 signs along the Great American trail,” Parsisson said.
Parsisson worked with Amy Kapp and her team at the conservancy last summer.
“The Pomeroy Foundation wanted original documentation: deeds, newspaper articles, things like that,” Parsisson explained. “It was a little hard getting it together, but we got it done.”
In addition to thanking the conservancy and foundation, Parsisson thanked the Bob Griffith family and Mayor Greg Sands for helping with the mill’s history. Boy Scout Troop installed the post and sign.
History of the Centerburg feed mill
The first train arrived in Centerburg in September 1873. The CA&C depot stood where the historical marker now stands.
“In 1873, this was basically in the country. Town didn’t start until Houck Street,” Parsisson said of the area where the group stood. “But it had two hotels, a private high school, and two doctors. So it was a nice community.”
Irish Channel was Hartford Avenue’s original name, and the first feed mill was at the foot of Preston Street.
In 1899, Alsdorf and Pearson built the mill at 108 N. Hartford to store livestock feed and grain. A year later, Pearson sold to Walter Alsdorf’s father, John, and it became Alsdorf and Son.
In 1908, Alsdorf and Son sold the mill to Parsisson’s great-great-uncle, TD Updike, for $4,000. Updike added an elevator to mill grain into animal feed, selling his brand of Diko Feeds.
Hurbert Worth Updike sold the mill to Frank Griffith in 1961, and it became Griffith’s Farm Service. Griffith expanded the business and added grain bins for additional storage.
In 1983, the CA&C railroad stopped service. Griffith sold the mill to Greg Sands, Centerburg’s current mayor, in 1989.
Randy Hegenderfer, through H.B. Property Management, bought the building in 2000. Parsisson said when Sands relocated his business around 2002-03, the structure stopped being used as a mill and became home to several storefront businesses.
Wirth Properties bought the building in November 2023. Several businesses operate out of what is now called the Centerburg Mill & General Store.
Family memories, future legacy
Realtor Tyler Griffith’s grandfather, Frank Griffith, operated the mill from 1961 to 1989 as Griffith’s Farm Service.
“We have so many great memories,” Tyler Griffith said.
He recalls sweeping the floor with his grandfather until he had blisters and climbing the grain bins. He remembers slipping and trying to keep his balance as he swept out the gravity grain bins.
“We’d come here and play all day,” Griffith said. “The community and the people who worked there were always so good to us.”
Tom Bilcze, president of the Ohio to Erie Trail Board of Directors and treasurer of the HOOT board, said the marker commemorating the mill is significant for cyclists riding the trails.
“There are people who like history and who like railroad history, so people will definitely take note of this. It’s good recognition,” he said. “And it’s good to see the new owners come in and fix up the building.”
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