The clouds were giving way to sunshine as my wife and I made our way to Second Creek, WV, a community in northern Monroe County, WV. It was early afternoon, and I was hoping that the diffused light would hold long enough take a few images. As we turned down Second Creek Road, I noticed a barn that would have to wait for another time, as the lighting was not quite to my liking. A little further down, and across the road, was a two story farmhouse that had been deserted long ago. The light was a little more agreeable so I stopped and snapped a quick shot. Just a short distance farther, a large building was situated between the creek and road, A sign read, “Reed’s Mill” and another above it, “Home of the Everette Hogsett Broom Factory.”
The only grist mill that survives along Second Creek, Reed’s Mill has been there since 1791, and has been in continuous operation. At one time, there were some 22 mills along a 20 mile stretch of the creek. Formerly known as McDowell’s Mill, it was purchased by the Reed family in 1914, and continued to serve the community. Larry Mustain acquired the mill in 1994, and along with his son, operates it to make a couple of varieties of buckwheat flour. They are also well known for their Bloody Butcher cornmeal.
Bloody Butcher corn, a colorful heirloom variety from the area, is stone ground here as it has been for generations, giving a complex, gritty cornmeal that is flavorful and different. White and speckled with dark red flecks, like a butcher’s apron, it has a nutty flavor and is considered a southern delicacy. Tradition has it that the corn was given to the settlers by the Indians.
Second Creek has several churches, a surviving one room schoolhouse, and the remains of an old storefront. A rusted Coca-Cola sign remains above a smaller old Royal Crown Cola sign. A quilt block has been added to the side of the shuttered building more recently. The town’s post office closed a decade ago.
We had been in Second Creek only for a few minutes when the clouds gave way to sunshine, putting an end to the diffused light, which I so much like for back road photography. We’ll be back in the near future to continue where we left off, when the lighting is right. Maybe then, the mill and broom factory will be open, we’ll do more exploring, and I’ll get more photos of this area that is so rich in history.
The two story farmhouse belongs to Dixie Hoke Webb, who lives across from the mill. It was her grandparents home. She would love to talk to you and tell stories. The large house that the PO was in was originally a log home. It and part of the mill once belonged to the Van Stavern family. They were millwrights who came from DE and traveled down the valley if VA working on other mills being built. Eventually settling in Second Creek because the creek was known as a power stream. 19 mills sat along the creek a long time ago. So much history in this little community.
Thanks, Tracie. I love hearing the stories, and about the communities and people.
Hi, Tracie. My 4x great-grandmother was Sally Hoke of Monroe Co (VA at the time). I’ve hit a roadblock with some of my Second Creek ancestors, particularly Mary Jeffries/Jeffers/Jeffreys born about 1826 and died 21 Mar 1901. She was the mother of John Echols Jeffries (1855-1906). The 1870 census says she ran a boarding house and also listed household members Mary J Morse (age 19) and Isabella Hoke (age 16). Do you think Dixie Hoke Webb would know anything about these folks or the Jeffries/Jeffers/Jeffreys?
Thanks,
Kelli
Does the mill ship corn mill to other states. Use to live in lindside.
I’m not sure. Maybe someone reading this can answer your question.
I was at Camp Greenbrier, and have known Larry Mustain for some time. I got corn meal,unbolted wheat flour, buckwheat honey, maple syrup. Mr Mustain has not answered his phone for some time.