Burrville Cider Mill

The Burrville Cider Mill is one of Jefferson County's oldest establishments. The structure, formerly known as Burr's Mills, was built in 1801 and was originally used as a sawmill and a gristmill. The Mill is located at the headwaters of the North Branch of the Sandy Creek on a 30-foot waterfall that was used to turn a turbine that powered the Mill equipment. Actually, the village of Burrville was settled before nearby Watertown. The reason being that the Black River that runs through Watertown was considered too immense to harness but the falls at Burrville were easily controlled. Capt. John Burr, whom Burrville is named after, purchased the Mill in 1802. Not much is known about Capt. Burr but it is rumored that he was a pirate who would steal from the supply ships out on Lake Ontario and then sell the goods back to the troops in Sackets Harbor. Some even say his ghost still visits the Mill. There is record of a cider press being in use at the Mill as far back as the 1800s. In the 1940s Homer Rebb converted the Mill to cider production on a commercial scale. Ever since then "Burrville Cider" has been known as the best cider in the North Country. Electricity, rather than waterpower, now runs the Mill equipment. Remnants of the old penstock, a water tunnel, are still there though, and all of our visitors are encouraged to take a stroll on the decks over looking the falls. The feel of the mist and the roar of the falls is an experience you will not soon forget. We open for the season each year "in time for" Labor Day and close "in time for" Thanksgiving.