Keeping a nose to the grindstone was a big part of the miller's job. The two large millstones, most over 1,000 pounds, needed separation to grind the grain to a proper consistency. If the two millstones happen to touch, the batch of grain was wasted and perhaps the stones would be damaged. Size and texture of the product came with experience. The miller's touch was all that was needed to tell if the right adjustments were made.
     This picturesque photo of the Glade Creek Grist Mill appears to be a historic 19th century mill. But, in fact, it's a wonderful recreation of the Cooper Mill destroyed by fire in 1920. The new mill was constructed from salvaged parts of three different mills found in West Virginia. Babcock State Park offers over 4,000 acres of beautiful mountain land and recreation opportunities. But the mill and Glade Creek are the park's main features. The mill is open to the public on weekends and gives a close look at the grinding process and equipment. The park is located nearby Clifftop, West Virginia, just west of U.S. Route 19.