Historic Motor Mill
Hidden in the
Turkey River valley, the Motor Mill Historic Site is a peaceful natural area
that features a six-story limestone flouring mill and four related stone
buildings dating from the late 1860’s.
Motor Mill Brochure
Early Days
The dream
began in 1867, when John Thompson, James Crosby, and Jon Dickinson formed a
company to found a mill, town and other business ventures at Motor.
Thompson & Co. spent $50,000 on the mill and another $40,000 on equipment
and other structures. Stone was
quarried close by, with some being lowered down the bluff in cable cars
running on wooden rails. Skilled stonemasons were hired to build the 90
foot tall mill, which has a foundation five feet thick.
Completed
in 1869, the mill ground barley, oats and rye for livestock feed. Corn was
ground into cornmeal. Wheat and buckwheat was ground into flour. To ship
flour and corn meal, barrels were made in the cooperage. A livery stable,
10-room house and an icehouse were also built. In 1875, the town was
platted; already the site boasted a few houses, a school, general store,
sawmill and tavern. After less than 20 years of operation, the mill closed
due to crop losses, competition, flood damage and failure to obtain railroad
access.
Motor’s
Transitions
By the turn
of the century, most of the milling equipment was sold or discarded and some
of the mill’s timber framing was salvaged for the construction of other
buildings. The main Motor buildings were used as part of a working farm
from 1903 to 1983. The mill was used to store hay, grain and stable
horses. The livery stable became a dairy barn and the roof was raised for
more hay storage. Generations of families called the large stone house home.
Just a
two-hour canoe trip from Elkader to Motor, the site has long been a popular
fishing spot and canoeing access. In 1983, the Clayton County Conservation
Board purchased Motor Mill with help from the Iowa Natural Heritage
Foundation. Currently, the 155-acre park has hiking trails on both the
north and south side of the river and a primitive campground along with a
canoe landing on the north side.
Tours
Motor Mill
never recouped its founders’ investment, but remains a striking monument to
19th century engineering skill, craftsmanship and vision.
Free
tours are available Saturdays 9-5, Sundays 12-5 and holidays 9-5, two
weekends/ month May-September or group tours by appointment. Open weekends
for 2008 are:
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May 17-18 |
May
24-26
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June 7-8 |
June 21-22 |
|
July 4-6 |
July 19-20 |
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August 2-3 |
August 16-17 |
|
August 30-September 1 |
September 13-14 |
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September 20-21 |
September 27-28 |
A
Dream Reborn 
The Motor
Mill Foundation was formed in 2004 to assist the Clayton County Conservation
Board in developing long-range goals and management of the site. A diverse
group of volunteers work “To protect and preserve the architectural
integrity, history, natural beauty and serenity of the Motor Mill site and
to develop appropriate uses and interpretation as a regional treasure for
future generations.” For more information on how you can get involved call
563-245-1516.
Visit Us
The Turkey
River washed out the south span of the 1898 iron bridge in 1991, so to visit
the mill, take C1X (Grape Road) east from Hwy 13 at Elkader. Follow Grape
Road four miles, then turn south on Galaxy Road and go another three miles
to Motor. Or visit us on the web:
www.motormill.org
Motor Receives Funding in 2006
The
Clayton County Conservation Board was awarded a REAP/Historical
Resource Development Program
(HRDP) grant for $38,445 for work on the
Motor Mill. The proposed work will include engineering,
architectural drawings, interior framing stabilization, replacement of
stairways and replacement of
flooring. The total cost of the
project is
$83,445. Additional funding will come from
grants, in-kind
volunteer
match, and fund-raising efforts. Proceeds from a
benefit concert, held at
the Elkader Opera
House, raised $4500 for the project.
The Clayton County Conservation Board was awarded a Historical Site Preservation Grant for $54,400.
The proposed work will include
replacement of the Mill roof, the Inn roof, and two chimneys on the
Mill.The total cost of the
project is $111,200. Additional fund raising efforts will be needed.
The Motor Mill Foundation of
Clayton County has played an important role in receiving this funding.
Foundation members have been
meeting and planning for this project monthly. The organization has
helped with budgeting, work plans, recruiting
additional volunteers, fund-raising efforts and promotion of
the site.
If you would like additional
information regarding the Motor Mill or the Motor Mill Foundation,
please visit www.motormill.org.
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