John Work House and Mill Site, Historic district in Clark County, Indiana
The John Work House is a Federal-style brick building constructed around 1811 with balanced proportions and individual chimneys serving its six rooms. The site also contains remnants of a gristmill that was powered by water channeled through an underground system.
The property was established around 1811 when John Work built a mill and residence at this location. It became an important center for early industrial activity and grain processing in the region during the 1800s.
The site is named for John Work, the pioneer who established the settlement and its economic center. Visitors can explore the old burial ground where members of the early community found their final resting place.
The site is located in a rural setting near Charlestown and can be reached by following local roads to Tunnel Mill Road. The property is now managed as part of a Scout Reservation, so visitors should check access conditions and appropriate visiting times in advance.
The most remarkable engineering feature is a limestone tunnel carved through a hillside to channel water to the mill, requiring careful excavation and controlled blasting. This ambitious underground system demonstrates the determination of early settlers to harness local resources for industrial purposes.
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