2023 Removal of Markle Mill Dam

This is a very sad loss for the community, leaving many angry and grieving. I truly believe, however, that there was no real choice to be made. In the public forums, the commissioners explained that they were given a mandate from the state to remove the dam because the structural integrity was failing and it was dangerous. It could not be rebuilt in it’s original design because the law no longer allows such structures. The cost of rebuilding would be huge and it wouldn’t look the same as the historical dam at all. Being a lover of history and passionate about preserving it, the statement that most spoke to me was made by archeologist James Heimlich. He stated that if nothing is done the dam will eventually remove itself, and more history would be lost in that event than if the dam is carefully deconstructed. McGuire Excavating & Trucking, Inc. did a terrific job of preserving the wooden timbers of the original dam that were encased in concrete from previous maintenance. I’m in love with these relics! Since the dam was over 200 years old, it’s very likely that this wood is close to 300 years old! I’m excited for the things that will be built from them to memorize the history of the Markle Dam and Mill. We have been granted a few of these pieces to preserve with the Markle House. Our plans are to use them to create a bench that will mark the site of the original wood frame house build by Abraham Markle (the same year as the dam) and to build a frame for a large painting of Mill Dam that was donated to us by Kevin Adkins. In the midst of losing this beloved structure, there is opportunity to preserve history still! The few remnants of the mill foundations remain at the site and protected as well as possible. We join the county leaders in pleading people not to vandalize and take these artifacts. They are all we have left of this landmark that was so vital to the early beginnings of Vigo county.