The name Conewago is a Lenape word meaning “at the rapids” or possibly “long reach”. The Conewago watershed drains 515 square miles including parts of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The Conewago originates in Franklin Township, Adams County and flows across York County until it joins the Susquehanna at York Haven.
The Conewago watershed has many branches and tributaries. You can jump to them directly by using one of the following links:
- Big Conewago
- Conewago South Branch
- Beaver Creek (W)
- Bermudian Creek
- Bermudian Creek North Branch
- Beaver Creek (N)
- Bennett Run
- Little Conewago
The mills are listed in order of water flow.
Big Conewago
Name | AKA | Disposition | Built | Structure | Type |
Washington Mills | Residence | c1755 | 3.5-story Stone/Frame | Flour, Grist, Saw, Cider | |
Bigmount Mill | Apartments | 1783 | 2.5-story Stone | Flour, Grist | |
Emig’s | Apartments | c1770 | 2.5-story Stone | Flour, Grist, Saw | |
Kunkle’s | Site | c1820 | Stone/Frame | Flour, Grist | |
Bear’s/Clines | Abandoned | c1788 | 3.5-story Stone | Flour, Grist, Saw |
Conewago South Branch
The South Branch of the Conewago Creek originates in Carroll County Maryland and flows north into West Manheim Township, York County where it becomes the basis for the Sheppard-Meyers Reservoir. From there it flows north-west into Adams County where it joins the main branch in Mount Pleasant Township.
Name | AKA | Disposition | Built | Water Source | Type |
Nace’s | Site | c1774 | Conewago SB | Flour, Grist, Saw, Distillery | |
Leppo’s | Sherretz | Site | c1775 | Conewago SB | Grist |
Beck’s | Gobrecht’s | Site | 1809 | Conewago SB | Grist |
Utz | Bachman’s | Site | c1830 | Long Arm Creek | Grist, Cider |
Wentz’s | Bear’s | Submerged | c1773 | Long Arm Creek | Grist, Saw, Hominy |
Beaver Creek (West)
There are three Beaver Creeks in York County. Two of them are tributaries of the Conewago Creek. The third is flows into the southern Fishing Creek. The western Beaver Creek forms the western border of Paradise Township which is also the boundary between York and Adams counties.
Name | AKA | Disposition | Built | Water Source | Type |
Hollinger’s | Workshop | c1860 | Beaver Creek (W) | Grist, Cider | |
Noel’s | Site | c1850 | Trib 08766 | Grist, Saw | |
Brand’s | Site | c1790 | Trib 08766 | Grist, Saw | |
Jacob’s Factory | Jacob’s | Site | 1773 | Beaver Creek (W) | Grist, Clover, Hemp, Carding |
Swigart’s | Preserved | 1794 | Beaver Creek (W) | Flour, Grist, Saw |
Bermudian Creek
The Bermudian Creek begins in Washington Township and flows eastward until it joins the Conewago. The origin of the name is unknown.
Name | AKA | Disposition | Built | Type | Water Source |
Hoopes’ | Krall | Site | 1793 | Grist | Bermudian Creek |
Baker’s | Residence | 1830 | Grist, Saw, Clover, Fulling, Carding | Bermudian Creek | |
Christian Myers’ | Iron Rock | Site | c1837 | Flour, Saw, Cider | Bermudian Creek |
Trimmer’s | Jacob Eisenhart’s | Site | c17676 | Flour, Grist, Saw | Bermudian Creek |
Bermudian Creek (North Branch)
The North Branch of the Bermudian Creek begins in Franklin County just south of Dillsburg. It flows more or less south-east until it joins the main branch in Washington Township.
Name | AKA | Disposition | Built | Type | Water Source |
Clear Spring | Dick’s | Preserved | 1886 | Flour, Grist, Saw | Clear Spring Run |
Hummer’s | Wolford’s, Locust | Site | c1804 | Grist, Saw, Distillery | N Branch Bermudian Creek |
Stouffer’s | Site | 1857 | Grist, Saw | N Branch Bermudian Creek | |
Levi Myers’ | Farence, Fulweilers, Big Dam | Site | c1792 | Grist, Saw | N Branch Bermudian Creek |
Bentz’s | Pressel | Residence | c1825 | Grist, Saw, Clover | N Branch Bermudian Creek |
Beaver Creek (North)
The northern Beaver Creek begins in Warrington Township and travels southeastward until it becomes the basis for Pinchot Lake. It exits Pinchot Lake and continues flowing eastward until it joins the Conewago Creek.
Name | AKA | Disposition | Built | Type | Water Source |
A. Hoopes’ | Site | Unknown | Grist | Beaver Creek (N) | |
Thunder Gust | Site | c1820 | Grist, Saw | Beaver Creek (N) | |
Kerckhart’s | Site | 1781 | Grist, Saw | Stony Run |
Bennett Run
Bennett Run begins in Fairview Township north of Lewisberry and flows southeast across Newberry Township until it joins the Conewago. The creek is named after Joseph Bennett, an early settler of Lewisberry.
Name | AKA | Disposition | Built | Type | Water Source |
Cline’s | Kauffman’s / Silver Lake | Residence | 1785 | Flour, Grist, Saw | Bennett Run |
Rockey’s | Frazer / Miller’s | Site | c1874 | Grist, Saw | Bennett Run |
Kise | Wilt’s | Site | c1821 | Grist, Saw | Bennett Run |
Crull’s | Site | Grist | Bennett Run | ||
Rife’s | Site | c1820 | Grist | Bennett Run |
Little Conewago Creek
The Little Conewago begins in Jackson Township and flows northeast. It joins the main branch north of Manchester Borough.
Name | AKA | Disposition | Built | Type | Water Source |
Absolem Menges | Site | Grist, Saw | Paradise Creek | ||
Daniel Spangler’s | Spangler’s | Site | c1829 | Grist | Little Conewago Creek |
Deardorff’s | Jesse Appleman | Site | Pre 1860 | Grist, Clover | Little Conewago Creek |
Gross / Julius’ / EisenHart’s | Vacant | 1843 | Flour, Grist | Little Conewago Creek | |
Thomasville | Residence | 1775 | Flour, Grist | Little Conewago Creek | |
Weigle’s | Business | c1770 | Flour, Grist, Cider | Little Conewago Creek | |
Shettle’s | George Meisenhelder’s | Site | c1841 | Grist | Little Conewago Creek |
David Meisenhelder’s | Wintermeyer | Site | c1818 | Grist | Fox Run |
Bentzel’s | Ilgenfritz | Business | 1831 | Flour, Grist | Little Conewago Creek |
Anderson’s | King’s/Levi Hake | Site | 1863 | Flour, Grist | Little Conewago Creek |
Peter Kunkle’s | Harry Kochenour | Site | c1866 | Grist, Saw | Locust Run |
Meisenhelter’s | Frye’s | Business | 1816 | Flour, Grist | Little Conewago Creek |
Conley’s | Philip Becker | Site | 1748 | Flour, Grist, Saw | Little Conewago Creek |
Kline’s | Starr | Site | c1792 | Flour, Grist, Saw | Little Conewago Creek |