At one time, scores of grist mills dotted the land along most larger creeks in York County, Pennsylvania. Many of these buildings are still in existence as private homes, storage buildings, or other uses, but unfortunately, a large number of old mills have been razed over the years since the decline of smaller private flour mills in favor of national brands.
Among those mills now long gone was the David B. Sprenkle mill near New Salem. He was particularly hit hard by elements of J.E.B. Stuart's Confederate cavalry in the early evening of June 30, 1863, when at least one group of Rebels paused from their northward trek toward Dover to take what they wanted from Spenkle's flour mill, stable, and country store.
