Call Number:

02

Repository:

Thornbury Historical Society

Extent:

1.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1956-1968 (inclusive)

Creator:

The Old Mill (Concordville, Pa.)

Abstract:

The Old Mill was a restaurant owned by husband and wife Charles A. and Althea M. Upperman. Located on Brinton Lake Road in Concordville, Pennsylvania (Delaware County), close to the border of Thornbury Township, it opened in 1955. The couple's son, Charles J. "Sam" Upperman, began managing the restaurant in 1957 and eventually became the owner, running the business for just over 35 years until it closed in 1993. The Old Mill records, 1956-1968, consist of financial and employment records including reservation and book keeping ledgers, checks, tax return stubs, and other materials.

The Old Mill was a restaurant owned by husband and wife Charles A. and Althea M. Upperman. Located on Brinton Lake Road in Concordville, Pennsylvania (Delaware County), close to the border of Thornbury Township, it opened in 1955. The couple's son, Charles J. "Sam" Upperman, began managing the restaurant in 1957 and eventually became the owner, running the business for just over 35 years until it closed in 1993.

Part of the building that housed the restaurant was originally built in 1682 by Swedish settlers and used as a gristmill, powered by the water from the west branch of Chester Creek. This space was known as "The Mill Room" in the restaurant. "The Brinton Room" in the restaurant was a stone-and-frame addition built in 1709.

Ownership of the mill changed hands over time, and by the late 1700s it was operated by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), who sold grain to both British and Continental Army troops during the Revolutionary War.

After ceasing operations as a mill, the building was used in the early 20th century as the Brinton Lake Club, a social club for the summer community around nearby Brinton Lake. Boxing matches held in the club in the early 1930s drew thousands of spectators. Another section was added to the mill building in 1929, which would become known as "The Concord Room" of the restaurant.

Althea M. Upperman (1906-1980) and Charles A. Upperman (1902-1972) Upperman bought the property in 1945. They initially rented the building as a nightclub before starting a restaurant in 1955. Their son later took ownership of the restaurant, running it until the business closed in 1993.

Bibliography:

Blakinger, Mary. "Owner is Selling Old Mill Restaurant. Building, Property Fixtures Being Sold for Only $2 Million." Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA), June 24, 1994. Accessed June 25, 2014. http://articles.philly.com/1994-06-24/news/25831375_1_mill-building-original-mill-restaurant.

This collection consists of financial and employment records from the Old Mill restaurant under the management of Charles and Althea Upperman and their son, Charles "Sam" Upperman. It includes five reservation books with patron names, but no other personal information (1959-1968, with gaps); six book keeping ledgers with income, expense, payroll, and other financial information (1956-1961); and other records such as checks, employee tax return stubs, and vacation employment certificates.