Zedler's Mills, Luling Texas scenic historic attraction. (original) (raw)
After nearly four decades,
Zedler's Mills is revealed from Nature's green cloak.
Photo Courtesy Sarah Reveley, March 2006
Historical Marker Text
Zedler's Mills
John and James Merriwether and Leonidas Hardeman in 1874 built gristmill and sawmill at this site, with stone dam across the San Marcos. Bob Innes, John Orchard, J. K. Walker, and Fritz Zedler, as Luling Water Power Co., bought mills (1884), adding cotton gin. A milling veteran, Zedler in 1888 bought all stock and made eldest son partner. The gin, soon burned, was rebuilt. Units were added. Sons Herman and Charles joined firm. In 1890 and later, the Zedlers furnished water to city; 1894 and later, city power. In time various mill units closed; operations ceased about 1960.
1974
Zedler's Mills historical marker
TE Photo
Photographers' Note s
Subject: the Zedler saw mill in Luling
I saw a mention of this on your Luling page, and with the phrase "of course you wouldn't have wanted to go inside... abandoned since 1960" How could I pass it up. :) It is a really cool mill - three or four large "mill" buildings and three barns in the back - quite a large site. I think they rent tubes there in the summer for floating on the river. I was there on the 13th when it was raining real bad, so there wasn't anyone around. I wandered around taking pictures for a couple of hours before I was too cold and wet to stay around. I didn't go inside, the buildings were locked up too well, there was enough to photograph from the outside. Attached are a couple of my favorites from that day. Have a great day! - Justin Parson, www.whatimagination.com, January 22, 2007
Subject: Luling update - Zedler's Mills restoration Photos taken in March 2006 on 80 just south of Luling. -
Sarah Reveley, October 28, 2007
Subject: Zedler's Mills
We found an abandoned saw mill outside of Luling it was great, ... it was along side the [San Marcos ] River. You can walk right up to it, of course you wouldn't have wanted to go inside, the historical marker said it had been abandoned since 1960... - Rodney Stegall, November 08, 2005
The dam at Zedler's Mills in March 2006
Photo Courtesy Sarah Reveley
The "business end" of the mill.
Photo Courtesy Sarah Reveley, March 2006
The cycle begins again:
A sprout appears on the flood-control retaining walls.
Photo Courtesy Sarah Reveley
Looking away from the mill
at the site of "Texas' biggest picnic."
Photo Courtesy Sarah Reveley, March 2006
Panoramic view showing the numerous additions.
Photo Courtesy Justin Parson, January '07
The largest building on the site in January '07
Photo Courtesy Justin Parson
Photo courtesy Chia-Wei Wang, August 2006
Zedler's Mills Spillway
TE Photo August 2006
Original machinery at the mill run
TE Photo August 2006
Zedler's Mills gears
TE Photo August 2006
An adapted Model T chassis provided power - perhaps for the mill's lighting. 55 Gallon drum (left) acted as an oversized radiator.
TE Photo August 2006
The root system of a long-dead tree embraces an old brick wall.
Photo Courtesy Chia-Wei Wang, August 2006
Steps leading down to the San Marcos River - or up to the Mill
Photo Courtesy Chia-Wei Wang, August 2006
The mill in 2004, before installation of the steps
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, September 2004
Designated swimming hole on the San Marcos River
TE Photo August 2006
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