Cedar Hill Mill sits on a location that has held a mill since 1847. The current mill was constructed by the Radeacker family. Perhaps the most striking aspect of this mill is its precarious setting atop a riverbank, below a large dam that funneled water into the mill. The dam is now broken, probably intentionally…
Tag: Mills
Bollinger Mill Turbine Reservoir
Beneath the mill itself is one of the most unique spaces I have ever seen; instead of having a chute for the water to flow through, the water would simply fill up this reservoir, forcing water through the turbine. The whole space has an ethereal quality to it, and I can only imagine what it…
Substructure and Water Intake, Bollinger Mill
Since the turbine was inside of the mill in the subbasement, water traveled into the mill via a large intake hole above the dam. The screen, which would be cleaned periodically, trapped debris and twigs from entering the mill and clogging the turbines. The water would then travel through the turbine and out through the…
Bollinger Mill, Interior
While many have an a romantic image of a giant waterwheel turning on the side of a rustic rural mill, in reality most mills had converted over to steel turbines by the turn of the 20th Century. While Bollinger Mill no longer operates, you can still see the various machines, gears and other accoutrements that…
Bollinger Mill, Burfordsville
This week we’ll be looking at the stunning Bollinger Mill in Burfordsville, Missouri. It is accompanied by one of Missouri’s last covered bridges. The mill is a massive structure, and is probably one of the largest in rural Missouri; the stone portion is older than the brick structure above. The weeds had gotten awfully high,…
Old Millstone, Dillard Mill
Update: See the exterior and interior of Dillard Mill.
Dillard Mill, Interior
The interior of the Dillard Mill is perfectly preserved, and still runs as it had for over one hundred years. Tours are offered year-round where you can watch the machinery operate. Looking out the window, the water of the river pours over the dam with a roar. See one of the old millstones here.
Dillard Mill
Dillard Mill, approximately two hours southwest of St. Louis, sits amongst the rolling foothills of the Ozarks. Famed for its setting among fields and the Huzzah Creek, it is one of the most photogenic sites in Missouri. The roar of water dominates this part of Missouri, whether it is crashing through a shut-in, onto a…
Blanchette Chouteau Mill, St. Charles
When I was little, I loved this mill. Unfortunately, I don’t think the waterwheel is real anymore, but rather the water is pumped up to the headrace and then it goes over the wheel. For a great book about mills, read David Macauley’s great book on the subject.