Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard

Fly Creek, United States

4.2

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes

Description

Specialties

Just 3 miles from Cooperstown, the historic Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard offers delicious tastings of more than 40 specialty foods, including fresh mill-​made fudge, mill-​aged cheddar cheese, donuts, apple salsas, all-​natural dips, apple wines and — of course — apples & hard ciders. Built in 1856, the Fly Creek Cider Mill is the only one of 7 mills still in operation on the creek. Visitors can still witness the water-​powered mill pressing delectable sweet cider, just like those from more than 150 years ago. Come take a leisurely self-​guided tour of the mill, visit the marketplace with its locally made syrups, honey, dips, and more, then follow your nose to our bakery’s fresh aromas of coffee, cider, and fresh-​baked muffins and cider donuts. Bask on the mill pond observation deck or sit at one of our covered picnic tables to nibble a farm-​fresh lunch; try our famous pot roast sandwich and sip a mouth-​watering cider float. Children will love our kiddie Tractorland and feeding ducks.

History

Established in 1856.

Now in its 157th year, diversification and innovation characterize the Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard. The seed for the Mill’s creation was planted long ago by Johnny Appleseed who traveled west sowing apple seeds that would produce cider apples to quench the thirst of early pioneers. Dutch settlers in Fly Creek Valley called the low-​lying swampy area «vlie.» Over time «vlie» turned into «fly,» hence the hamlet’s unusual name. They developed Johnny’s apple orchards for pressing the juice to be fermented into hard cider and wine. Refrigeration had not yet developed so these hard ciders and apple wines that were shelf stable and safe to drink became the beverage of choice — three meals a day.

Entrepreneur Hosea Williams built a centralized cider mill to efficiently turn apples into sweet cider. Harnessing the power of Fly Creek, he used a turbine to run a grinder and water-​hydraulic press. Settlers abandoned their hand presses to use the new mill, filling their barrels at the mill.