Ye Old Mill, A State Fair Tradition, Celebrates 100-Year Milestone

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- There must be a reason why traditions never die.

One hundred years ago, John H. Keenan developed the "Tunnel of Love" that's now become a traditional centerpiece of the Minnesota State Fair. The attraction, located on the southwest corner of Carnes and Underwood on the State Fairgrounds, is as nostalgic as it is popular.

The Keenan family is celebrating Ye Old Mill's 100th anniversary this year at the State Fair. The ride attracts fair-goers of all ages and somehow seems to grow in popularity every year. Some fair-goers make it a point to go on the ride every year, while others every summer try it for the first time.

Wednesday afternoon, there was even a wedding ceremony that took place for a couple that has a special place for the attraction in their State Fair traditions.

"It's really about keeping that long-standing tradition in the state of Minnesota," Joe Keenan, one of the managers of the attraction and a great grandson of the creator, said.

Ye Old Mill is the oldest standing concession at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. The boats are original, the motor that runs the whole ride is original and the yellow paddle is the visual staple.

"It's a tradition for families and for couples at the fair," Jeremy Keenan, one of the four brothers who manages the attraction, said. "It becomes a part of the fair experience for anyone who goes on it. You hear people's personal stories and people come off with a smile on their face."

Jeremy Keenan said the ride is as unique as it is historic. There is little flash to the boats on the water, it's a simple concept with a few bright scenes in dark tunnel and it's quick. One ride is less than five minutes, allowing for an experience you can do multiple times in a day and still get everything in on your list.

Gallery: Ye Old Mill Celebrates 100 Years

The ride is over slow-moving water and largely in the dark, creating for just enough mystery to keep you on your toes. There's nothing scary about it, but you're left to wonder what's around the corner. Plus, you ride on water and stay dry.

Jeremy Keenan and his three brothers are originally from Burnsville. They are all now spread out across the country, but come back every summer to get Ye Old Mill ready for state fair patrons.

"We all have families and jobs, but it's part of our family institution," Jeremy said.

On Wednesday, one fair-goer from Minneapolis stopped at Ye Old Mill to buy her father a decorative T-shirt. Anna said her dad and other relatives made it a point to go on the ride every year at the fair, until they were incidentally banned from it three decades ago.

"They got in one of the boats and put their hands up on the wall to stop the ride. I'm buying my dad a T-shirt as kind of a joke."

Anna said Ye Old Mill is "just a classic. There's just a family story to tell every time."

Gwen and Bill from Loretto are annual attendees of the State Fair, but until this year had never stopped at Ye Old Mill.

"We've been here about a dozen times and never really thought about it. We heard about the 100-year anniversary and decided to give it a try. After all, it's the 'Tunnel of Love,'" Bill said. "That and we're old. People like us don't want a ride where we got shot up in the air."

"It's charming. It was just fun altogether," Gwen said.

There was a steady line of customers Wednesday into the late afternoon with both couples and families with young kids. Jeremy Keenan said in addition to Wednesday's wedding, there is at least one marriage proposal every year at Ye Old Mill during the State Fair.

"It's just something different. You won't find anything like it at any other fairground across the country. The State Fair has done a great job of capturing the whole experience," Jeremy said.

Ye Old Mill is celebrating 100 years this year at the State Fair. It's now up to the Keenan brothers to keep it going for decades to come.