By Mark Reynolds
Lloyd Historian Joan Kelley has secured signage to mark the Deyo Steam Mill, located at 4 River Road in Lloyd. Built in 1860 by carpenter brothers Aaron and John Deyo, it was the first steam-powered mill in the Town of Lloyd. It was also one of only five others in Ulster County. Locally there were seven water powered mills on the Twaalfskill Creek but none have survived.
The Deyo Mill produced window sashes, blinds, moldings and banisters and was ideally located on a well-traveled road just up from the landing on the Hudson River.
Kelley researched the history of the building, noting that the 30ft x 30ft x 30ft 3-story brick cube design maximized the workspace, while an outdoor steam engine on the western side of the structure powered the mill’s equipment for all three floors. This was accomplished using a complex system of overhead line shafts, pulleys and leather belts.
The factory ceased operations in 1875 when the contents of the building were sold to satisfy debts and all that remains of this once thriving mill is the building itself. Although the 1880s saw an uptick in steam power, ultimately, its demise was due to the expansion of the railroads and several fires.
In the intervening years the ownership of the building changed hands a number of times to steamboat owner Abraham Brinkerhoff; to Lloyd town supervisors Philip Schantz and Ray Costantino and in 1984 cabinet maker James Fawcett purchased the building and fixed a number of age-related structural issues. It is presently owned by painter Cynthia Dill who has turned the lower floor into an art gallery.
Kelley is grateful to the William G. Pomeroy Foundation for the donation of the historical sign that sits in-front of the building.