Holmes Milling Company

Holmes Milling Company-Tannery Rd., Downsville, NY

The mill was built in 1847 by George W. Downs and later purchased by two brothers, Samuel O. and William E. Holmes which continued the grist mill business.  Later William’s son George W. Holmes took over the mill and later his brother John joined the business.  The grist mill’s location close to the Downsville Creamery made the mill successful as farmers shopped there after dropping off their milk at the creamery.  In addition to grain and feed the Holmes’ began buying butter and eggs from the farmers which they sold on their daily trips to Walton.  In 1913 the Mill sold 3,000 tons of feed and grains.  The mill was water powered and the firm installed a Delco Hydro Electric Plant around 1900 and generated enough electricity to power the mill and to provide electricity for the homes along the Main Street of Downsville.  George retired from the business in 1925 and John Holmes continued the business until the construction of Pepacton Reservoir eliminated many of the farms and demand for the mill. After the mill closed the south end of the building was converted into several apartments and The Fortune Feed Box Restaurant.  The 110 foot building was destroyed by fire on August 5, 1952.