by JAMES BRADY

IN AUGUST THE McCormick County Historical Commission, which owns and manages the Dorn Mill Complex was under contract with Midwest Maintenance Inc from Augusta, GA to replace the roofing system on our 1898 Grist Mill. Replacing the roofing system was made possible through a grant from the State of South Carolina. The grant funds are being managed by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. All properties listed on the National Register of Historical Places must meet Department of Interior guidelines for restoration. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History ensures all guidelines are met and all funds are spent in the correct manner. We would be remiss if we did not say Thank You to our McCormick County State Legislators for without them this grant would not have been possible: South Carolina Senator Shane Massey, South Carolina Senator Billy Garrett and South Carolina Representative Daniel Gibson. 

Once the McCormick County Historical Commission was notified they would receive grant funds to make necessary repairs to the 1898 Grist Mill, Tonia Moore, Chairman of the McCormick County Historical Commission (MCHC) began working the South Carolina Department of Archives and History on the proper scope of work and the state’s approved open bidding process. Bidders were required to meet certain criteria for their bids to be considered. Doing it this way protected MCHC from companies of questionable reputation, ensuring timely and cost-effective bids and proper use of our state tax funds.

Bids were received from five different companies by the submission deadline, Ms. Moore and other Commissioners conducted research and completed their due diligence on each company. South Carolina Department of Archives and History reviewed all bids and all due diligence documentation. The firm Midwest Maintenance Inc. (MMI) with a division in Augusta, GA was awarded the contract and has completed the work, on time and within bid proposed. It looks great and now the roof should protect the Grist Mill for the next 100 years.
Our Grist Mill is the only one of its kind in South Carolina and only 1 of 2 known in the entire country. This unique style of grist mill has been very important to the history of McCormick County since 1898 as it used “Steam Powered” equipment to grind down cotton seed to make cotton seed oil and would also produce flour, grits and other grain products. All of which helped the residents of McCormick County during both World Wars I and II, the Great Depression and all other times up to 1948.

In early 2025 and after our “Festival of Trees” in December of 2024, MCHC will be able to use the balance of the grant to begin the process to replace the windows on the Grist Mill. It is the hope of MCHC that the residents of McCormick County again pass the 1% special sales tax, which will allow MCHC to finish all 17 windows on the Grist Mill as well as make other improvements and restore other aspects of the Dorn Mill Complex. 
In the meantime drive by to see the new roof of this important historical building here in McCormick County South Carolina.