This stepping stone used at the home of Tom Knopp in Syracuse is an old millstone formerly used in Crosson Mill in Syracuse.

One is a decorative stepping stone, but it’s really a piece of local history.

In the yard of Tom Knopp’s home overlooking Syracuse Lake are two quite old millstones from the former Crosson Mill. Crosson Mill, carrying the surname of Samuel Crosson, a founding father of Syracuse, was a grist mill originally built by Turkey Creek and then later moved to near Main Street. Millstones were stones used in grist mills for grinding wheat or other grains.

One of the millstones at the Knopp home is used for a stepping stone and the other sits by a tree and is used as a decoration. Knopp said Charlie Howard, a previous owner of his home (along with wife Wanda), was a former employee of the Syracuse Parks Department. “When they tore the mill down, they put the millstones in a storage shed,” Knopp said. “I think he (Charlie) probably ended up taking the stones home with him.”

Knopp added the fact the millstones were used at Crosson Mill was confirmed by local historian Ron Sharp before Sharp passed away. Knopp’s home will be auctioned off in July and he said he plans to donate the millstones to the Syracuse Parks Department.

Chad Jonsson, parks superintendent, said he is still looking for a place to put the millstones and will pick them up as soon as he finds where they can be placed.