At a corn husking in the fall of 1813, Thomas Hunter agreed to build a dam across the northeast branch of the Sandy River. He would furnish machinery if his fellow settlers would put up the building for a saw mill. This they agreed to do because of the need for boards to build homes. The dam was built, the mill was built and lumber produced here went into the construction of what was to become the Village.

In later years the mill was operated by William I. Smith. He produced not only lumber but also wood-turnings. Pulpwood for turnings was amassed on the bank across the road.