Fidler’s Mill Offers a Glimpse Into Upshur County’s Past
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
An 1821 mill along the Little Kanawha River remains a lasting reminder of the county’s early industrial and community life.
Staff Report
HISTORY I UPSHUR COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
Along the Little Kanawha River near Arlington, Fidler’s Mill offers a glimpse into an earlier chapter of Upshur County history.
The mill dates to 1821, when Daniel Peck built the original structure above the river. In the 1840s, William Fiddler purchased the mill and a 200-acre farm and expanded the operation.
The improvements included a wooden mill race, a sawmill and a 20-foot overshot wheel used to power the grinding of grain.
For generations, the mill was more than a place to process wheat, buckwheat and corn. It became an important gathering place for the surrounding community.
By the late 1800s, visitors could find a variety of services and businesses in the area, including a general store, blacksmith, barber and facilities for processing wool.
The Fiddler family operated the mill for more than 140 years, helping make it an important economic and social center in southern Upshur County.
Much of the surrounding community has changed, and many of the buildings that once stood near the mill are gone.
Fidler’s Mill, however, remains along the Little Kanawha River, surrounded by the landscape that helped shape its history.
The property is also notable for its natural setting. Small waterfalls along this section of the river add to the scenery and provide another reason to slow down and take in the area.
The mill is not currently open for tours, so visitors should plan to appreciate the historic structure from the outside and respect posted property restrictions.
Even without entering the building, its weathered exterior and riverside setting provide a tangible connection to Upshur County’s past.
Today, Fidler’s Mill stands as a reminder of a time when mills served as much more than places of production.
They were places where neighbors worked, traded, gathered and built community, making them an important part of the story of West Virginia’s rural communities.
To Plan your next adventure, visit https://www.visitbuckhannon.org/
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