The Potomac Mills Cement Mill in the Civil War
by Dr. Mike Nickerson, President, SBPA

Sunday, September 20 at 3:00 pm at the Opera House
131 West German Street. Doors open at 2:30 pm.

JOIN US TO HELP SAVE THE MILL RUINS!

Help us CEMENT the future of our past! A Piece of History is Crumbling…
and We Need Your Help.

Just downstream from Shepherdstown lies a hidden gem: the ruins of the Shepherdstown Cement Mill. First constructed in 1826 as Potomac Mills grist mill, this historic landmark began its groundbreaking cement operations in 1829. It wasn’t just any mill—it was the largest natural cement mill of its time, renowned for producing high quality ‘hydraulic’ cement. One initial contract was for 30,000 barrels of cement for the C&O Canal.

The Mill produced the cement that literally built our nation’s history through the construction of the Canal and landmark public structures in Washington, D.C. such as the Washington Monument. It was a central feature during the Battle of Shepherdstown where Union soldiers were shot by Confederates on the bluffs and killed in the kilns by friendly artillery fire from Maryland.

The talk will focus on the history of the site including Packhorse Ford, the 1732 Great Wagon Road, and the Mill – which operated until 1901! We have high resolution details about the Mill works, raceway, dam and warehouse that will be presented.

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