Before electricity, if you wanted power, then you had to produce it yourself. This was done by harnessing the natural power of moving water, via a millrace and waterwheel.

Ohio's early pioneers were skilled in determining the ideal location for a mill site. Mills quickly became the focal point in many of the earliest villages. They provided a place where farmers could gather to socialize and barter goods. Nearly every village that was located near a river or large creek had a mill at some point. Numerous villages were born from the construction of a mill. Some were even named after the mill or it's owner, who was well respected in the local community.

Mills became obsolete as technology progressed. Eventually, they started to vanish throughout the state. In the mid 1800's, Ohio had nearly 2000 mills. By the early 1900's, there was less than 100. Today, I believe there's less than 50.