Life & Work with Jessica Noes of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Noes.

Hi Jessica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
History
Historic Clifton Mill is one of the largest water powered grist mills still in existence. The first mill at this site was built in 1802 by Owen Davis, a Revolutionary War soldier and frontiersman miller. The mill was built in this location to take advantage of the natural power of the concentrated water funneled into the gorge. Owen Davis and his son-in-law, General Benjamin Whiteman also built a sawmill and a distillery. Soon a village known as Davis Mills sprang up around the mills. The Little Miami River powered five other mills that were built within a mile of Historic Clifton Mill: a woolen mill, sawmill, paper mill, barrel mill, and another grist mill. Historic Clifton Mill is the only one still standing.

Around 1810 Davis sold his grist mill to Robert Patterson, father of the founders of NCR. Patterson renamed the village Cliff Town, had it surveyed into lots and officially made a town whose name was shortened to Clifton. Clifton grew rapidly and at one point had a population three times that of today with blacksmith shops, a butcher shop, two churches, a school, a hotel, two grocers, weavers, shoemakers, paper makers, and more. Due to Robert Patterson being made Quartermaster, Clifton played a part in the War of 1812. Historic Clifton Mill provided corn meal for federal troops from this part of Ohio, while Patterson’s woolen mill provided cloth and buttons for uniforms.

Robert Patterson sold Historic Clifton Mill to the Armstrong family who ran the mill for more than 20 years. Then three generations of the Preston family ran the mill until 1948. Many years and several owners later, the Satariano family purchased the mill to preserve such an historic and beautiful piece of property.
Restaurant
The restaurant inside Historic Clifton Mill will serve you a truly home cooked meal. Fresh whole grain breads, pies and cookies are available daily. Our pancake mixes are available for purchase in the Country Store or in our Gift Shop. Breakfast is served all day. Our menu includes pancakes, omelets, fried potatoes, cornmeal mush & more! Lunch is served every day until 3pm. We offer delicious sandwiches, a variety of salads and fresh homemade soups.

Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill
Say hello to our 20ft Twinkling Tree of Lights — featuring 7,000 sparkling lights!

This stunning new addition brightens the area right beside the iconic water wheel, creating a picture-perfect photo spot for your visit.

Be sure to snap a photo and tag us so we can share the magic of this brand-new feature!

For 39 years Clifton Mill has celebrated the Christmas season in a very special way. Our light display, featured in Midwest Living, Ohio Magazine, USA TODAY, The Great Christmas Light Fight on ABC and more is one of the country’s finest with now over 5 million lights illuminating the mill, the gorge, the riverbanks, trees and bridges. There is even a 100 foot “waterfall” of twinkling lights. The flip of one switch turns all the lights on at once transforming night into a fantastical winter wonderland which includes a Miniature Village, a Santa Claus Museum, a Toy Collection and a spectacular synchronized lights and music show that features the old Covered Bridge.

Every night until the night before Christmas Eve you can peek into Santa’s Workshop to see a live Santa at work and then, every 15 minutes or so, watch him check his list and go up the chimney to load his sleigh.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Preserving and maintaining a Mill built in 1802

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve worked at Clifton Mill for 30 years

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cliftonmill.com