Donovan Mill Restoration Updates
Via Comstock Foundation for History and Culture
Even through the winter months, Comstock Foundation volunteers have been hard at work. Here’s an update on several projects already underway or completed in 2026!
Jan. 19: We will be constructing a representative headframe at the north end of the Donovan Mill site. The headframe will be a scaled-down version of the Dayton Consolidated headframe that collapsed approximately 17 years ago. Portions of the collapsed headframe will be used as templates for the Donovan Headframe. Two 7’ diameter steel sheaves, along with scrolls and other salvageable steel parts, will be used in the reconstruction. Comstock, Inc., Dayton Consolidated owner, is donating the steel parts and some timbers. We are looking for a skip and a man cage!
Please contact info@comstock.foundation, 775-400-6329 if you have a skip or man cage the Foundation can use.
Jan. 21: More updates on the Historic Donovan Mill. Recently the volunteers ran air lines throughout the machine shop and to the Ingersoll Rand engine house. A few years ago a large air compressor and tank were donated to the Mill and now we won't have to lay out a hundred feet of air line each time we need it!
Jan. 23: And to finish off the week with updates. Our volunteers have been busy up at the Historic Donovan Mill. The volunteers constructed a new outhouse at the Donovan Mill. They built it like the proverbial brick **** house! We are extremely proud of the interior decorator’s design and construction!
Feb. 9: Volunteers restored and returned the conveyor motor, reducer and drive pulley to their original location. Nine years ago, they were removed prior to major structural restoration. The conveyor has sat idle for 70 years! www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQOWWjoP19U
The next project is to install the newly acquired conveyor belting.
Please visit us at www.comstockfoundation.org
