Missouri Fall Magic! Just “Millin’ Around” Down in the Ozarks!

Missouri Mill Tour

Today is all about the mill. The Missouri Ozarks have plenty of these historic structures to choose from, should you choose to visit them. An important part of daily life in any town that wanted to become a thriving community in the 1800-1900s, mills provided the ability to make food, lumber and electricity. Most were powered by waterwheels, making use of the abundant springs in the area. Many of them are still standing and have been restored so modern visitors can learn about the vital services they played to the communities they served.

Falling Spring Mill and Thomas Brown Cabin

The Falling Spring Mill and Thomas Brown Cabin near Winona, MO is one such mill. Built in the late 1920s, the spring that “falls” out of the hillside behind it powered the mill.

The mill was used to grind corn for animal feed, sawed shingles and firewood for the residents of the site and produced electricity for the homes built on the site. The second mill built on the site is one of the few in the area that still contains the water wheel and gears used to power it.

Thomas and Jane Brown built the nearby Thomas Brown cabin in 1851. They chose the site because it had plenty of water and trees for building shelter. Their cabin still stands today because of the dovetail notching that connects the logs together. This allowed the structure to withstand the elements that other cabins could not.

Today, the site includes a picnic area and is a peaceful place to sit and contemplate nature. It is a beautiful area and with the leaves changing on the trees a magical place to just silently be.

Greer Mill and Spring

I missed a major part of this mill site when I visited. There is very little signage and as a result, I completely missed Greer Spring, which is the 2nd largest spring in Missouri and has the beautiful vivid blue water that we saw at other sites in the area. The state of Missouri and National Park Service restored Greer Mill in 2016. Samuel Greer constructed the original in 1883. It was the second mill he built on the site- Greer built the first one closer to the spring in 1860 and used oxen to carry the products from the mill up to the nearby town. Seeing the need for a bigger mill to supply the community with freshly ground corn and flour, Greer moved the mill to the top of the bluff above the spring and enlarged it.

As I mentioned, I missed the hike down to the spring because there are two parking areas. One is for the mill building, which can be viewed from the outside, but is only opened for special events. A bit further down the road is the trailhead for Greer Spring. The spring is a 0.9 mile hike, but from the pictures online should not be missed!

Topaz, Missouri

The tiny town of Topaz, Missouri was once a hub for the area. First settled in the early 1800’s along the banks of the Elkhorn Spring, the mill was built between 1840 and 1850. A general store was built next door soon after. The town eventually added a post office, blacksmith shop, tomato canning factory, garage and a barber shop.

The Topaz Gristmill produced flour through the 1920’s and continued to grind corn into the 1930’s before finally closing down. After it closed, the rest of the town started to close as well. In the late 1950’s the O’Neil family bought the town site, and they continue to restore and care for the remaining buildings, keeping them as authentic as possible. They are happy to show visitors around the area so everyone can take a peek back into the town’s past.

Hodgson Watermill

The final stop of our “Missouri Mill Tour” is perhaps the most picturesque. Built as a gristmill in the 1860’s, the Hodgson Mill produced 1 million pounds of flours and other products when it was closed and a new more modern facility was opened in nearby Gainesville, MO. The Hodgson Mill Company still operates out of that facility today using many of the same techniques used in the old watermill.

The building has been sold many times through the years. In the 1980’s it flooded and has since been in the process of restoration. The site includes picnic tables, so you can sit and have some lunch or a snack while you listen to the spring flow around you. Truly a beautiful place for a fall picnic!

Now that you’ve read all about our Missouri Mill Tour, check out the video!

For more of adventures with Traveling with Terriers, please check out our other Travel-A-Long Adventures, Behind-the-Scenes Blogs, relaxing Drive-A-Longs, and our Top 5 Tips and Tricks. Just in time for the holidays, our brand new Merch Store is open! Visit it to find Traveling with Terriers apparel, swag, and our newly released book available now on Amazon! Until next time, happy traveling!