Ölmühle Simonswald
The nuts have to dry for about four to eight weeks after harvesting, before they are cracked and sorted by the diligent hands of the women and men of the "Brauchtumsverein". The mill, built in 1712 in the style of a heath house, looks like an island as it is surrounded by the wild Gutach and the Mühenkanal. It is located around 20 minutes’ walk from the centre of Simonswald. The mill was last operated in 1955. In 1974 the mill became privately owned, which stopped the derelict and enabled its restoration and preservation. The mill is driven by an undershot water wheel. Mostly fruits of the valley are used for the production of oil, especially rape, poppy seeds, walnuts and beech kernels. The oil fruits often underwent several pressings, like it is common today with olives. Since December 2002, walnut oil has again been produced in the oil mill after a long time.