the area was originally settled by english quakers and remained agrarian into the twentieth century. the oldest property is the 1683 worrel house. in 1718 a water mill, then known as providence mill, began to grind corn. in the late 18th century a plaster mill was established next to the grist mill. a rolling and slitting mill replaced the plaster mill by 1812, and became known as bishop's mills. workers cottages, a dam, and several outbuildings complete the mill complex, now known as sycamore mills. the mills operated until 1901, when they were damaged by fire.