Pine Creek Gristmill

Located in Wildcat Den State Park, the Pine Creek Gristmill is one of the best-preserved mid-19th century grain mills remaining in the country. It was built in 1848 by Benjamin Nye, who was one of the first settlers in the county. The mill is currently in the process of being restored to its original condition. Next to the mill is the historic Pine Mill Bridge, which was built in 1878. The site is the only location in the state where a bridge and mill still exist. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Near the mill is a one-room historic school called the Melpine Schoolhouse.

Benjamin Nye arrived in Muscatine County in 1834 and built a saw mill the next year close to the mouth of Pine Creek. He moved the mill upstream in 1837 and also built his first grist mill opposite from where the present mill stands, which he built in 1848. In 1838, Nye built the first store and post office in the county. Tragically, his son-in-law killed him in 1852. Subsequent owners made changes to the mill including replacing the paddlewheel with a turbine wheel, installing roller mills, and building a lean-to addition. The last owners, the Missel family, operated the mill until 1923. The State Conservation Commission bought it in 1927 and it was then renovated by Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration workers in the early 1930s.

Bowers, M.H. "Pine Creek Grist Mill." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. May 15, 1998. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/6650f359-eb31-453d-a7f7-716171e6bdac.

"Wildcat Den State Park." Iowa State Parks. Accessed January 27, 2022. https://www.stateparks.com/wildcat_den_state_park_in_iowa.html.