The Clayton County Conservation Board invites you to visit and enjoy the natural resources and recreational opportunities in Clayton County.

Iowa's County Conservation Board System startd in 1955. Clayton County's Conservation Board continues to strive to meet the goals outlined in the Iowa Code (acquire, develop, maintain, and make available to the citizens of the county forests, wildlife, and other conservation areas. To promote and preserve the general welfare of the people). The Clayton County Conservation Board manages some 1000 acres.

Clayton County Conservation
29862 Osborne Road
Elkader, Iowa 52043

Ph: 563-245-1516
cccb@alpinecom.net

 

Visitor/Nature Center Hours

Summer schedule April to October
8:00am-4:00pm Monday-Saturday
12:00-4:00pm Sunday

Winter Schedule October to April
8:00am-4:00pm
Monday- Saturday
Closed on Sundays

All Parks
close at 10:30 pm

 

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

Motor Mill Newsletter

                              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 19^th 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 2011 are:

May 14-15	May 28, 29, 30
June 11-12	June 25-26
July 9-10	July 23-24
August 6-7	August 20-21
September 3, 4, 5	September 17-18

*Some dates may be closed due to a proposed late summer road construction project on Grape Road. 

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 

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. 

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