The Eichener mill is first mentioned in 1512. This place used to be called “Im Kreuzohl” and the mill there was used as a grain mill and was equipped with an iron overshot water wheel. The Eichener mill was a “ban mill” of the Drolshagen nunnery. This means that the surrounding farmers were only allowed to have their grain ground here.
The mill is one of the earliest businesses in the district of Olpe. It was previously operated with three water wheels. Two inflows, called the rose and the brachtpe, feed the mill pond. This water supply from several source areas is rare. The mill was supplemented by a sawmill in 1840.In 1910 a bread bakery was added, and a little later a bone pestle was used to produce fertilizers for agriculture from animal bones.
Even today both mill ditches conduct their water to the large mill pond. The bridge over the rose did not exist in earlier centuries. The farmers took their wagons through a ford to the mill. Later a sawmill was added to the grain mill. This combination was a real rarity in the district of Olpe. However, when neither was used - the mill was abandoned in 1964 - the mill began to deteriorate.
Today, after a total renovation, a neat building stands on the foundations of the old mill and the granary, water wheel and saw gate have been preserved. The mill waters, a grinding aisle, a mighty frame saw, a trunk and a circular saw have also been preserved, which were operated by an overshot water wheel via transmission belts.
Buildings and technology are listed buildings.
opening hours
The mill is open on the day of the open monument (2nd Sunday in September) and on the German Mill Day (Whit Monday). Visits also by appointment.
contact information
phone: 0 27 61/83 58 31 (Dr. Ing. Rolf Heinen)
e-mail: drheinen@gmx.de
tip
The Eichener Mühle is located on the Bergische Panorama cycle path between Rhineland and Sauerland, which runs over the former railway line. It is 300m away from the B 55, B 54, and it only takes about 1 km from the Olpe exit of the A 45 towards Drolshagen / Bergneustadt.
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