The life of the Parokhia flour mill station, located about two kilometers downstream from Sheikh Ibrahim Abu Rabbah's mill on the Yarkon River, was dramatically altered by the emergence of competition from the sheikh's more favorably situated personal station. Operated by the Bedouin tribe Abu Kishk and their half-African slaves who resided in the nearby village of Far'uniya and primarily earned their living through agriculture, this mill was a vital resource for the local community. It was powered by the strongest currents of the Yarkon River at this point, utilizing around five pairs of millstones for grinding.
Sheikh Ibrahim Abu Rabbah, upon establishing his own mill, began efforts to limit the tribal use of the Far'uniya mill, arguing that their water usage detracted from his mill's grinding capabilities. He even resorted to sabotage, leveraging his good relations with the Ottoman authorities to do so without consequence.
The mill was ultimately destroyed during World War I when the Ottoman army blew up the Yarkon bridges to hinder the advancing British forces, preventing them from crossing the river. The stones from the demolished mill were repurposed by the residents of the Arab village of Far'uniya for building homes, paving roads, and for the Turkish army. Today, only a power switching station of the Electric Company marks the site of the old Far'uniya village and its flour mill, with no remnants left to indicate their exact locations or the water channel that once fed the mill. Originally, there was consideration of building a power station at this site due to the strong water current, but ultimately, the Reading Power Station was built at the Yarkon estuary instead.
Hiking along the Yarkon River in central Israel, from Petah Tikva to the old railway station in Rosh HaAyin, offers a picturesque and historically rich experience. This trail winds through scenic fields and orange groves, unveiling unique moments of both history and nature. Key attractions along the route include old mills, the concrete house, Kfar Baptistim, and two national parks: the Yarkon River Sources and Tel Afek Antipatris. Along the trail, there are two rest areas for hikers to relax and enjoy the region's inspiring natural beauty and captivating stories.