Historic Reist barn gone, but not forgotten by neighbors
by DAVID F. SHERMAN Managing Editor, The Amherst Bee

Williamsville firefighters prepare to attack flames shooting from the historic Reist barn shortly after 4 Monday morning. The former mill, built in 1821 as part of a large commercial operation, was a total loss. Photo by David F. Sherman Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

The Reist barn, once part of the Reist Milling Company, was built in 1821.

Williamsville firefighters were called to 265 Reist St. at 4:11 a.m. and found the two-story structure wrapped in flames. Chief Rich Maddigan ordered a second alarm to assist in water supply, which activated the Snyder and Main-Transit fire departments.

Intense radiant heat melted the globes of nearby streetlights.

The Getzville Fire Company provided an additional pumper at a hydrant on North Union Road to feed large-diameter hoses connected to aerial trucks almost 1,500 feet away at the scene of the fire. The Eggertsville Hose Company filled in at Williamsville's hall for the duration of the incident.

The Reist Mill, also known simply as the "Red Barn," stood at the western edge of Amherst State Park adjoining the Sisters of St. Francis property. It was the last remaining building in what was formerly a thriving commercial enterprise run by two pioneering Williamsville families. Photo courtesy Cindy Munschauer

The company was formed by John Reist and his brother-in-law, Abraham Long, in 1808. They acquired a steamboat to sail on Lake Erie and a smaller vessel for use on the Erie Canal. Through these resources, they were able to buy wheat in Detroit, ship it to Buffalo, grind it into flour in Williamsville, and sell it in New York City.

Work was completed around 1870 on an improved waterway, taking advantage of nearby Ellicott Creek and an expansive millpond.

The barn lost in Monday's fire was described as the main building of a complex which included grist and flour mills, a sawmill, a cooper shop, farm house and smaller dwellings, a carriage house and sheds for ox and horse teams.

Its trademark products were Grade A flour varieties known by such colorful names as "Golden Eagle," "New Era" and "Stars of the West."

The barn was a strictly utilitarian building, lacking the amenities of other mills of the same time period. Some timbers measured 8-inches square and bore the notches made by carpenters from an era long since gone.

Hundreds of square-head nails littered the ground as Amherst Highway Department personnel used a Gradall truck to flatten the west wall, which had withstood the flames without a structural failure.

A stone-lined cellar contained little of value: bales of hay, roofing material and metal drums. It was not immediately determined what was their contents.

The barn was part of the Amherst State Park. Amherst Highway crews secured the site after the fire was extinguished. Monday night, a steady stream of neighbors filed past the debris pile to view what remained of the landmark.

Damage was estimated at $60,000. The Amherst Fire Inspectors office and Amherst police are investigating the cause.

Although not officially declared an arson fire, they noted there was no electrical service to the building and no machinery stored inside.

Representatives from the town's Historic Preservation Commission and Amherst Conservation Advisory Council spoke at Monday's meeting, seeking information on the future of the site. They were told details were pending the conclusion of an investigation.

Mary Shapiro, acting chairman of the Amherst Historic Preservation Commission, said the site still has historic value and anticipates extensive archeological study in the near future.

The barn was granted historic designation status by the Town Board in 1998 which prevented demolition or any changes to the exterior without review by the commission.