The small village of Rock Mill was founded in 1799 by Joseph Loveland and Hezekiah Smith. They built a mill, store, distillery, and a tavern. The mill was the first one built on the Hocking River. It was intended to be a combination of a grist and woolen mill, but the woolen machinery was never added. Despite all of their hard work, they were forced to leave the village by the local Indians, due to all of the alcohol they produced and provided.

Rock Mill was built in 1824 by Christian Morehart, above the original mill site. It's considered the oldest and largest mill in Ohio. Today, the mill is currently undergoing restoration. This covered bridge replaced the original covered bridge that was located here. It's one of the shortest covered bridges in the state.