LOCAL MILLS TODAY

	In Southeastern Pennsylvania there are numerous working mills. Older mills were made entirely of wood. Very modern mills have all working parts in metal. The Davis Feed Mill (seen at left) featured in these web pages combines both wood and metal equipment and structures. The Davis Feed Mill is the only working mill in the Pennridge School District.
The Richland Feed Company is located at Main & Walnut Streets in South Perkasie. (It is the former Savocool Mill.) This wholesale company provides feed and pet foods, fertilizer, and garden supplies. The company has another location in Richlandtown, PA.

MILL HISTORY

The Davis Feed Mill in Perkasie, PA dates back to 1838. Davis Feed Mill offers feed and supplies for all animals, lawn & garden supplies, mulches, and fencing supplies. The mill also has another location in Rushland, PA. The mill began as the the Stover Feed Mill (seen at left). The mill is the highest structure in the town of Perkasie.

Many years ago 40-50 people worked at this mill. Today 5-8 people run the mill. Machinery now does the work of many of the earlier workers. Other Pennsylvania mills may be run by two people and the rest of the work may be done by computers.

The Davis Feed Mill is built next to the railroad tracks, which in the past allowed for trains to deliver and pick up grain right at the business. Railroad cars are no longer used for delivery due to the expense. All deliveries and pickups are done today by truck.

POWER

Electrical power boxes at Davis Feed Mill  Mill machinery today

In the past many mill operations were done manually. A major power source of power for grist mills was water in a mill race. The Davis Feed Mill never used water power. Today electricity powers the machinery in the Davis Feed Mill. Other fully automated mills today may use pneumatics (air power) or other energy sources.