Peirce Mill

Built along Rock Creek in 1829 for Isaac Peirce, the site originally ground corn, wheat, and rye, expanding across generations to encompass a sawmill, orchard, and tree nursery. Incorporated into Rock Creek Park in 1890 alongside 350 surrounding acres, it operated until a broken turbine shaft halted the machinery in 1897. Turn-of-the-century park improvements brought a scenic dam for picnickers, followed by a 1920s stint serving tea beneath electric lights. By 1936, following New Deal legislation, the National Park Service had worked to restore the mill and grounds to their historic layout.