Historic Motor Mill - Iowa
by Susan Rissi Tregoning
Title
Historic Motor Mill - Iowa
Artist
Susan Rissi Tregoning
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
The historic Motor Mill gristmill and Motor Mill Bridge on the scenic Turkey River, Clayton County, Iowa.
The Motor Mill gristmill, constructed by skilled German stonemasons, opened in 1869. Although said to have excellent flour, the mill struggled. In 1871, a chinch bug outbreak left area mills competing for less wheat to mill. High water prevented the completion of the railroad to town, making transportation of the flour more expensive. Then finally, in 1883, a flood-damaged the mill dam causing the mill to close after just fourteen years. The buildings were rented for many years until 1903, when Louis Klink purchased them. For the next 80 years, the property stayed in the Klink family, and the Motor Mill was used as a farm building.
In 1899, a Twin Span Pin-Connected Pratt Through Truss steel bridge was constructed to replace the original 1868 wooden bridge over the Turkey River. That steel bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. When it lost its south span in a 1991 flood, the bridge was left alone because of its historical nature. Finally, in 2008 another flood took out the remainder of the bridge. With the historic bridge now a total loss, a reconstruction of that 1899 bridge was built in its place. This new bridge was completed in 2012 after over 30 years without a bridge crossing the river beside the Motor Mill.
Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, the Motor Mill Historic District includes five native limestone buildings: a Stable, Inn, Icehouse, Cooperage, and the Motor Mill. All the buildings date to the 1860s. It is part of Iowa's Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area.
Special Features:
Anything Architecture 6.4.21
Canon Full Framed Camera 6.5.21
Camera Art 8.20.21
Copyright 2021 Susan Rissi Tregoning
Uploaded
June 2nd, 2021
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Viewed 1,941 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 11/30/2023 at 12:21 PM
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