A Legacy Rooted in Community

Before it became home to Cider Mill Townhomes, this quiet stretch of Park Avenue in Chardon was alive with the hum of hard work, community spirit, and the unmistakable scent of freshly pressed apples. In the early 1900s, the Rhodes family—respected and deeply woven into the fabric of local life—founded a cider mill on this very land. Drawn by the abundance of nearby apple orchards, they saw an opportunity to craft something simple and good: fresh, locally made cider.

The Rhodes Cider Mill quickly became more than just a business. It was a gathering place—a rhythm of the seasons. Farmers arrived with crates of apples, families lingered to share stories, and the air in autumn was thick with the sweet, earthy scent of the harvest. Using time-honored techniques passed down through generations, the Rhodes family pressed cider, syrup, and apple butter that became staples at markets, fairs, and kitchens throughout the region.

For decades, the mill stood as a symbol of Chardon's agricultural roots and close-knit community values. Even as industrialization transformed the economy and small-scale operations began to fade, the Rhodes family remained steadfast—preserving tradition and keeping the press running long after many others had closed.

Though the mill has since ceased operation, the spirit of what it represented endures. Today, Cider Mill Townhomes honors that legacy—celebrating a place where quality, community, and heritage once flourished and continue to shape the story of Chardon.