2026-04-12T10:32:55-04:00 Zend_Feed_Writer https://shenandoahstories.org/ Shenandoah Stories https://shenandoahstories.org 2016-06-15T13:10:14-04:00 2018-12-18T12:15:51-05:00 https://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/130 Shenandoah County Library Between 1860 and 1870, the owner of Lantz Mill, Jacob Lantz, built this house on his family’s farm. The original building was a two story, Greek-Revival style structure. The Lantz family continued to live in the house for many decades. Jacob’s wife Elizabeth altered the building dramatically in the early 20th century. The construction project she launched added two towers, a new porch, and dormers to the house. This project changed the style of the house to reflect the tastes of that period and made it one of the most prominent structures in the community. Today it remains a private residence for local farmers. For more (including 2 images), view the original article. 2016-06-15T12:52:57-04:00 2018-10-19T11:46:21-04:00 https://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/129 Shenandoah County Library The original Lantz Mill was constructed in the early 19th century by the Holler family. They had received a land grant from Lord Fairfax in the late 18th century and moved here to farm the land. The existence of Stoney Creek provided them with an ample power source and they were soon able to build a mill here. In 1815 the Hollers sold the mill to Samuel Stuart who sold it to George Lantz nine years later. He and his family would operate the mill for the next 72 years. In 1863 Jacob Lantz purchased the mill from his father. Jacob was already a partner in the mill and a leading businessman in the area. He participated in the Edinburg Manufacturing Company alongside the owners of the Edinburg Mill. This group marketed and sold the agricultural surplus and manufactured goods of the county. Jacob also ran a sawmill and several shops in the area. When the Civil War began Jacob, a slave owner and presiding justice of the county court, was a strong supporter of the Confederate cause. His position with local government meant he helped lead the county’s decision to support secession in 1860. It also meant he was in charge of the county’s finances during the period, and every piece of script issued by the county during the war bears his signature. When Union forces arrived in the area, Lantz’s position made him a target. His businesses were burned and so was his home after he refused to arrest local guerrillas. By 1867 the mill had been rebuilt and Lantz was recovering. It was one of the first local mill to be rebuilt and played a role in the area’s recovery. The 1870 census noted the mill had a 30-horsepower water-drive mill with two stone grinders. It was valued at $7,500. However Lantz had not been able to recover from the war. In 1879 he declared bankruptcy. His wife Elizabeth Whissen Lantz was able to obtain enough funds from her father to purchase the mill when it was sold to clear her husband’s debts. Jacob assumed position of manager and operated the mill for her until his death in 1871. Elizabeth sold the mill fifteen years later to Joseph Tisinger who updated the mill to a “roller” type. This replaced the original stone wheels with metal rollers that produced better quality flour more efficiently. Tisinger sold the mill in 1898 to Erasmus Smith who operated it until 1930 when he sold it to William Wilkins who changed the name to Lantz Roller Mills. Wilkins would go bankrupt in 1959 due to the availability of cheaper flour produced by large operations. The mill was sold to several members of the Sine family. They changed operations and began producing animal feed instead of flour for human consumption. Their “Shenandoah Breeder Mash” and “Sine Hog Finisher” were popular throughout the region. They closed in 1980 as large feed mills began to replace smaller operations. In 2006 it was purchased by its current owners who were determined to restore the mill. Two years later they added the site to the National and State Register of Historic Places. They have been able to complete emergency shoring projects, a cleanup day, replacement of windows, reconstruction of damaged portions, and removal of later additions. Their efforts continue today. For more (including 8 images), view the original article. 2016-06-15T11:49:16-04:00 2018-12-18T12:15:51-05:00 https://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/128 Shenandoah County Library In 1747, Hans George Lantz left Germany and eventually settled on 470 acres along Stoney Creek in Shenandoah County. The area he arrived in had been occupied by Native Americans for several centuries. Though some Europeans had already come here, Lantz and his family would come to dominate the area. George Lantz would own and operate a farm in this community, then called Swan Pond Hollow, until his death in 1793. His son, Jacob, and eventually his grandson George, continued this operation. The dynamics of the community in which they lived changed in the early 19th century when a grist mill opened in the community. This mill utilized the water power of the creek to grind local farmer’s crops into flour. Originally it was owned by Peter Holler, who had received a Lord Fairfax land grant along the waterway. Records indicate that his neighbor, George Lantz, purchased the mill in 1824. His family would operate the mill for the next 72 years. Other individuals soon began opening commercial establishments in the area. Jacob Clem constructed a large general store in the late 19th century that supplied the community with almost every good until it burned in 1942. A large furniture factory and woodworking shop was operated by the Christian brothers during the first part of the 20th century. Other businesses, such as a blacksmith shop, shoemaker, cider mill, cannery, and barber shop also existed here. Social activities were popular in the community. A large band existed during through the late 20th century. They held regular concerts that were attended by residents from throughout the county. These concerts also featured community festivals, games, ice cream socials, and many other activities. After the Second World War, Lantz Mills began to decline. Community members began to leave for towns and cities while enhanced transportation meant individuals could get goods and services elsewhere. The roller mill closed in the early 1970s and other businesses followed quickly. Today it is a residential community occupied by approximately 100 people. For more (including 12 images), view the original article.