An awe-inspiring waterwheel, integral to Maryland's historical hydropower landscape, showcases an interesting history and vast potential for generating hydroelectric power. Its unique waterwheel components speak to the ingenuity of Offgrid Maryland innovations.
In 1974, my father began searching for an old mill that could be relocated to our family farm in western Maryland, where it could be reconstructed to harness hydroelectric power. His journey led him to the renowned water wheel maker Mr. John Blake Campbell of Philadelphia, PA. By 1975, Mr. Campbell, who had spent over five decades engineering new mills, restoring old ones, and installing waterwheel components, was retained to oversee the project. He remained a close family friend until his passing in the early 1990s.
After an extensive search of West Virginia and Virginia in 1976, my father purchased a defunct mill in Mt. Jackson, VA, from Mr. Fred Frederickson. This Maryland historical waterwheel included an overshot wheel measuring 24 feet in diameter, featuring a 60-inch face, along with other essential gearing and pulleys. Under Mr. Campbell's guidance, the mill was disassembled and transported to the fabrication shop of Mr. Gerald Conklin in Honesdale, PA. Mr. Conklin was a self-taught master machinist, welder, and fabricator who had collaborated with Mr. Campbell on numerous projects, including the restoration of Mr. Campbell's original 1924 Wayside Inn Mill in Sudbury, MA.
Using the remaining 1/6 section as a fabrication pattern, six new wheel sections were crafted from Corten steel. This specialty steel resists rust and deterioration, developing a rich patina over time, making it ideal for hydropower applications. The soling plate, rims, and bucket steel were procured, and cut to specification in Philadelphia, PA. The soling plate measures 3/16 of an inch thick, while the rims and buckets each have a thickness of 1/8 of an inch.
Mr. Conklin utilized a custom-made jig for the fabrication of the new wheel, allowing the soling plate and rims to be laid in and adjusted to achieve the desired arc. This jig ensured that all six sections would be fabricated identically. To maximize efficiency and accuracy in replicating the original design, all 72 buckets were cold rolled to create the same bucket curvature. Mr. Conklin also trimmed the inside corners of the buckets to facilitate better air displacement by incoming water, mirroring the original design. The result is a newly constructed wheel, assembled from six numbered sections.
In 1979, my father purchased the Cloverdale Mill near Roanoke, VA, primarily for its Lignum Vitae bearings, used in the Mt. Jackson wheel.
The Mt. Jackson wheel and bull gear, essential components of the Maryland historical waterwheel, were mounted on the same 6.4375-inch shaft. The 100-inch bull gear, positioned inside the mill, interfaced with a 26-inch pinion gear, which, along with the 86-inch wooden silencer gear, was also mounted on the same shaft. The silencer gear connected to a 22-inch pinion gear mounted on the same shaft as a 90-inch flat belt pulley. This 90-inch pulley was linked via a wide leather belt to a small diameter wooden flat pulley that was unfortunately deemed not salvageable at the time of purchase. These waterwheel components play a crucial role in harnessing hydropower, reflecting the ingenuity of offgrid Maryland energy solutions.
This Maryland historical waterwheel has tremendous potential, whether it is employed as an architectural or decorative element, used in an off-grid setup to harness hydroelectric power for energy independence, or as a replacement wheel for a historical mill or attraction. All the essential waterwheel components are included to create a visually appealing and practical setup.
The wheel sections, hubs/axle assembly, spokes, and gearing have been in dry, sheltered storage for over thirty years. Now, it's time for them to find a new home and contribute to the growing interest in hydropower and offgrid living in Maryland.
The offering includes the following:
- 1 overshot water wheel measuring 24 inches in diameter with a 5-foot face, crafted from Corten steel; this Maryland historical waterwheel is ideal for harnessing hydroelectric power.
- 1 axle/hub assembly featuring a 16-foot long shaft with a diameter of 6.4375 inches, complemented by 2 hubs with 12 spokes for the 24-foot by 5-foot waterwheel; essential components for efficient hydropower generation.
- 3 complete pillow-block and bearing sets, equipped with new recast bronze sleeves for the 6.4375-inch axle/hub assembly; includes half of a lower bearing without a recast sleeve.
- 24 spokes, either original or made from new spoke material, each measuring 12 feet by 5 inches and three-quarters of an inch; replacement spokes will require boring holes, along with angle bending and tapering to securely fit into the hub.
- 1 intact cast bull gear, showing no signs of cracking or repairs, with a diameter of 100 inches and a face of 6.5 inches; it features 90 teeth for a 6.4375-inch axle.
- 1 silencer gear with a diameter of 86 inches and a 7-inch face; this gear is designed with 136 wooden hard maple silencing teeth for a 3.75-inch axle, though it has undergone repairs due to past cracks, requiring the hard rock maple teeth to be cut.
- 1 flat belt pulley measuring 90 inches in diameter with a 14-inch face, compatible with a 3.5625-inch axle, and exhibiting no repairs or cracks; it consists of a bolt-together 2-piece assembly.
- 1 intact pinion gear measuring 22 inches in diameter with a 7.625-inch face and 32 teeth, mounted on a 3.75-inch diameter machined axle that is 75 inches long, with a 24-inch section measuring 4.37 inches in diameter.
- Another pinion gear, also intact with no signs of damage, measuring 26 inches in diameter and 6.5 inches in face, featuring 30 teeth and mounted on a 3.5625-inch axle that measures 76 inches long.
- 4 complete sets of original babbitt bearings, carefully poured for the 3.375-inch and 3.5625-inch axles.
- 1 pinion gear from the Cloverdale Mill, measuring 30 inches in diameter and 5.875 inches in face, equipped with 35 teeth and mounted on a 9-foot by 3.375-inch shaft.
- 1 bearing housing babbitt pour tailored for a 3.75-inch diameter shaft from the Cloverdale Mill.
- 1 pillow block stand, with dimensions of 10.5 inches in overall width, 35 inches in overall height, and 54 inches in overall length, sourced from the Cloverdale Mill.
- 2 custom-made loading and positioning jigs.
The estimated weight of the components, along with the six rebuilt sections of the waterwheel, ranges from 17,500 to 20,000 lbs. All parts, crucial for any Offgrid Maryland setup utilizing hydropower, have been stored indoors for the past 30 years.
When my father was looking for an old mill to purchase, he often remarked that while he could find many, typically in poor but salvageable condition, the owners would refuse to sell, citing their family ties to the mill. He termed these structures "oxidative memorials." I want to ensure that this Maryland historical waterwheel and its parts do not fall into that classification or be scraped for pennies on the dollar.
I am happy to answer any questions and engage in discussions about the waterwheel and pricing from genuinely interested buyers or organizations. My goal is to find a new home for the wheel and its components, whether in private hands or displayed in a public venue. The entire waterwheel and all noted parts and accessories are offered for sale together.
Additional work will be required to restore the wheel for operational use, tapping into its potential for hydropower and hydroelectric power benefits.
Every effort has been made to accurately represent the history, dimensions, and related details of this offgrid Maryland waterwheel; however, if questions arise or more information is needed, please feel free to contact me.
Garrett County, known for its rich history in hydropower and the iconic Maryland historical waterwheel, is located in Oakland, Maryland, 21550, USA. The region's commitment to sustainable energy is reflected in its exploration of hydroelectric power options, making it a prime spot for offgrid Maryland solutions and showcasing various waterwheel components.
Wheel sections and stored components