Dutch Kills Millstones

The Payntar Millstones are significant beyond making flour for Washington's Continental Army; they are a tangible link to early U.S. industrial history.

The Payntar family salvaged the millstones and placed them in front of their home on Jackson Avenue, approximately 300 feet north of Queens Plaza.

40th Avenue was once called Paynter Ave. During the construction of the Queens Plaza subway station around 1930, the stones were temporarily relocated to a nearby flower bed.

[6] For the next 15 years, the local historical society monitored the millstones, noting significant deterioration due to vandalism and exposure to the elements.

However, their new location, near a bike lane and in a congested traffic hub, raised concerns about safety and exposure to road salt and weathering.

As a temporary measure due to public outcry, the millstones of Dutch Kills have been moved to the Ravenswood library.

[12] The Greater Astoria Historical Society sought support to temporarily house the millstones in their museum, retain experts to study their origin and age, and exhibit them for the community until a permanent local interior space is found.