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Writer's pictureAmy Trudell

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Let's Chat About...Old Mill State Park



A couple weeks ago, Randy and I attended the Old Mill State Park Grinding Day. The history and process of grinding wheat into flour was so interesting to me that I had to write a blog about it. But before I get into the details of mill grinding, I want to tell you a little bit about the history of Old Mill State Park!



Old Mill State Park is located along the Middle River between Argyle & Newfolden, Minnesota. It sits on the ancient beach of Lake Agassiz in Marshall County, the Northwest part of the state.


It was homesteaded by the Larson Family, who immigrated from Sweden, in 1882. They started the Mill by using water and wind power, and eventually evolved into using a steam engine.


The State of Minnesota bought the land in 1937 and rebuilt the steam engine in 1958. The park is 406 acres and currently offers a campground, playground & swimming area. In the winter there are cross country ski trails and also a popular sledding hill!


1958 dedication of the restored flour mill


Present Day


Nearly every year since the Old Steam Engine was restored, Old Mill State Park has hosted an annual Grinding Day event. This gives the general public a chance to witness the history and old-fashioned technique of grinding wheat into flour.


The grinding of the flour actually occurs upstairs, where the mill stones are located. Here the grain is crushed and ground between 2 large rotating millstones, turned by the drive shaft that runs up through the floor.




The grain is poured into the funnel at the top and runs down onto the fixed millstone. The drive shaft moves the rotating stone, and the grain is ground between the two. As it becomes fine, it works its way to the outer edge along grooves of the fixed stone. Then it falls down the chute and into the separator unit underneath where it is separated into 3 products: flour, middlings and bran.


The grindstones are what make the mill! The original stones that the Larsons used were cut from local field stone with an iron band worked around them. In 1896, after the original millstones wore out, John Larson bought French Burrstones from a Grand Forks mill and these are still the ones presently used.




Back in the olden days, when the farmers would bring their grain into be ground, it became a social event. The process took a while to complete, so it gave them time to visit and connect with each other.


The Old Mill became a gathering place for many different events such as the Annual Grinding Day and Creamery Picnics. The very 1st Marshall County Cooperative Creamery Picnic was held on Sunday, June 24, 1928, with an astonishing 4,000 people in attendance!


At the 19th Annual Picnic in 1946, there was a record-breaking attendance of 7,000 guests. Just imagine how far people traveled to get there!



Some of the attractions on picnic days included:

  • Bands from Area Towns

  • Ball Games

  • Horseshoe Tournaments

  • Relay Races

  • Balloon Blowing

  • Cow / Goat Milking

  • Pie Eating

  • Needle Threading

  • Butter Churning

  • Nail Driving Contest

  • Talent Contest

  • Airplane Rides

  • Guest Speakers


1957:


And then there's the Old Mill Swimming Beach! This has been a local favorite for many, many years.


Swimming Lessons used to be held here through the Red Cross Water Safety Program and the session ran for 8 weeks each summer. School Buses from the counties local communities would bring the students to the pond for lessons.


In 1964, 638 youngsters from 9 locations took part in the swimming program. Lessons at the Old Mill were discontinued when Warren built a cement pool where swimming conditions were less dependent on the weather.


2024:


This Facebook page is to keep you up to date on the activities happening at Old Mill State Park:




If you have any stories of the Old Mill to share, please comment below.


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