Finding Minnesota: Pickwick Mill
PICKWICK, Minn. (WCCO) – Scattered across Minnesota are several old sawmills, or flour mills, that have been converted into condos, restaurants or bed and breakfasts.
But people in one community near Winona had a novel idea for their historic mill: keep it as a mill.
Years before Minnesota would become a state, early settlers arrived in the bluffs region and saw potential along Big Trout Creek.
They started building Pickwick Mill in the 1850s. It was well before Edison's light bulb, but all the power they would need would come from the creek, rushing over the top of their giant water wheel.
Today, a replica wheel continues to turn at Pickwick, powering much of the mill's original equipment, with the help of volunteers like Douglas Hubbard.
"We do get people from all over the world that want to see this mill actually operating," Hubbard said. "The water wheel by itself is impressive but when you connect everything else: the belts and the gears and you get everything humming, it's quite a pleasure to watch."
The water wheel operates every day the old mill is open, but for groups of 12 or more, volunteers will also fire up the old equipment that dates back to the 1800s.
Retired farmer Vic Gardner spends about six days a week at the mill, showing visitors around.
"You cannot replace this machinery," Gardner said. "It's a one-time deal. It's living history."
Pickwick Mill opened at a time when there were only 32 states and they were getting ready for Civil War.
When the war broke out, many mills were scrapped for their metal, but Pickwick stayed open because its workers were doing their part for the North.
"They were grinding flour 24 hours a day for the Union Army," Gardner said.
The mill is now kept alive by a non-profit and a small group of volunteers who value the town's heritage.
Gene Gunderson is the vice president of the non-profit, Pickwick Mill, Inc.
"People like to see something as it was," Gunderson said. "They can go into a restaurant and say, 'This building used to be a mill.' Well, that's not the same as going in here and looking at the machinery."
It's been standing for more than 150 years. With enough care, Gunderson expects it to last at least another 100.
Pickwick Mill is open through October -- every day except for Mondays.
On Saturday, Sept. 12, Pickwick is having its annual Mill Days Festival with live music, a pancake feed and log rolling, among other events.