1815 Springhouse

Down the hill and toward the river from the Johnston's brick house lies a two story spring house.

Built between 1808 and 1815, this large structure was a center of activity. Through the bottom of it, utilized in a cooling room and bucket drop, runs the original spring from which the Johnston family drew their water. The top floor of the brick structure was devoted to textile production, with an upper loft where hired hands could sleep.

The room facing the river served, on the bottom floor, as a place to make candles, lye soap, or perhaps use the water and fireplace for a private bath!

"It was a warm summer's day, and he (Johnston) took me to his spring and gave me a drink of pure, cold water, the quality of which he praised with the air of a prince."

Henry Howe, 1886 Historical Collections of Ohio