Port Royal 200

Old Port Dam

Route 75

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This picture shows the dam to the left and Route 75 (Hertzler Hill) in the foreground. You can see the telephone poles in the picture. The many lines were necessary before multiple signals could be carried over cables.
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This picture shows the dam to the left and Route 75 (Hertzler Hill) in the foreground. You can see the telephone poles in the picture. The many lines were necessary before multiple signals could be carried over cables.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/10/09 - Image Year: 1910
This dam was built to power the carding (and later) grist mill that stands across Route 75. Both the dam and the mill were build by the Hertzler family. The dam was fed by Hunter's Run which was later renamed Hominy Run. The dam was a casualty of the Flood of 1936 when it was reported that water was flowing through the second story of the mill. By that time the mill could rely on alternate power sources and the dam was no longer needed for its original purpose.

The small lake created by the dam provided a favorite recreational area. In the summer it was used for swimming and fishing and in the winter for ice skating.

Photos & Comments

The Dam in 1914. (Person not identified.)(Photo submitted by Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by ray on 3/8/13 - Image Year: 1914
The Dam in 1914. (Person not identified.)(Photo submitted by Wayne Taylor)
This picture shows a slightly different view from the previous picture. Hertzler Hill can be seen and the edge of the mill is shown at the far right of the picture. Not sure whether the fish are biting.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/10/09 - Image Year: 1915
This picture shows a slightly different view from the previous picture. Hertzler Hill can be seen and the edge of the mill is shown at the far right of the picture. Not sure whether the fish are biting.
A summer scene of the dam. Much of Old Port can be seen in the background of the picture. The large building nearest to the dam is an ice house. During winter months ice would be harvested from the dam, stored in this building and saved for later use. The ice was packed in sawdust to act as an insulator and keep it from melting.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/10/09 - Image Year: 1920
A summer scene of the dam. Much of Old Port can be seen in the background of the picture. The large building nearest to the dam is an ice house. During winter months ice would be harvested from the dam, stored in this building and saved for later use. The ice was packed in sawdust to act as an insulator and keep it from melting.
A good view of the water backed up by the dam. It appears that the driver and child are about to turn right to proceed up Hertzler hill. The hill at the center top of the picture is often referred to as "round top". The one room Old Port School stood at the foot of "round top".
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/10/09 - Image Year: 1925
A good view of the water backed up by the dam. It appears that the driver and child are about to turn right to proceed up Hertzler hill. The hill at the center top of the picture is often referred to as "round top". The one room Old Port School stood at the foot of "round top".
Another view of the lake created by the Old Port Dam. Likely looking from Route 333 with Hertzler Hill behind the trees.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 6/15/15 - Image Year: 1910
Another view of the lake created by the Old Port Dam. Likely looking from Route 333 with Hertzler Hill behind the trees.