Wapsipinicon Mill

Constructed in 1870 and operated until 1976 when it became a museum, Wapsipinicon Mill is operated by the Buchanan County Historical Society. The mill has been well-preserved thanks in part to the thick brick walls of this five-story structure. The museum contains the original millstones and milling equipment along with exhibits about the mill and the county's agricultural history. The mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Local miller Samuel Sherwood built the mill between 1876 and 1870. The building consists of a hand-hewn heavy timber superstructure with mortise and tendon joints (nails and pegs were used as well). It was originally named the New Haven Mills and it appears that its initial purpose was to be a wool mill. Instead, it ground wheat into flour and other grains into a variety of products for farmers from the area. The mill later became a power station for the city, producing electricity for many years after it was discovered that it was illegally providing cheaper electricity to a hotel. Eventually in the 20th century the mill switched from producing wheat flour to poultry and stock feed.

Harrison, Leanne. "Wapsipinicon Mill." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. April 21, 1975. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/75000678_text.

"Wapsipinicon Mill." Buchanan County Historical Society. Accessed September 14, 2021. https://www.buchanancountyhistory.com/mill.php.