YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — A historic landmark in northeast Ohio is heading back to work.The main
wooden beam has been replaced at Mill Creek Park’s Lanterman’s Mill in Youngstown to get it back in
working order.MillCreek MetroParks development and marketing director Linda Kostka saysthe upgrade will
allow the mill to resume grinding corn, wheat andbuckwheat.She tells The (Youngstown) Vindicator
(bit.ly/12ZarBG)that without the water wheel turning the grindstone, there was gap inthe experience of
19th century history and culture. The grinding hadstopped in January.The white-oak beam supports the
4-ton wheelthat powers the mill. It was hand-cut by the park forestry crew usingsteam-powered antique
machinery.The beam weighs 540 pounds and is more than 6 feet long, 16 inches wide and 16 inches
high."Froman educational standpoint, it’s really important, especially for schoolgroups, that they
see the wheel turning, because it gives them aconcrete, visual example of how things were done,"
said Carol Vigorito,the park’s recreation and education manager.Built in 1845 and 1846, the mill is the
third one built at Lanterman’s Falls on Mill Creek.Lanterman’sMill closed in 1888, and the park bought
it four years later, using itas a ballroom, concession stand, bathhouse for swimmers and
winterboat-storage facility. Lanterman’s Mill was entered on the NationalRegister of Historic Places in
1976.