Grafton Flour Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Grafton Flour Mill
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Grafton Flour Mill
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 Location in Wisconsin
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| Location | 1300 14th Ave. Grafton, Wisconsin |
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| Built | 1847 |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003409 |
| Added to NRHP | June 30, 1983 |
The Grafton Flour Mill is a cool old building in Grafton, Wisconsin. It sits right by the Milwaukee River. This building used to be a busy mill that made flour. Today, it's a historic spot with shops and offices.
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What is the Grafton Flour Mill?
The Grafton Flour Mill is a very old building that has changed its purpose many times. It started as a place where farmers brought their grain to be ground into flour. This type of mill is called a grist mill. It was built way back in 1846. Imagine how much history this building has seen!
Early Days as a Flour Mill
A group of farmers from New England, often called Yankee farmers, built the first part of the mill in 1846. For many years, the mill made flour for people in the area. It had different owners over time, but it kept producing flour.
In 1884, something big happened: the mill caught fire! Parts of the building were badly damaged and had to be rebuilt. After the fire, the owner had money problems and had to sell the mill. A company called White Lily Flour bought it.
From Flour to Yarn
Years later, during a tough time called the Great Depression, the mill changed hands again. The Great Depression was a period in the 1930s when many people lost their jobs and money. The mill was bought by a nearby company called the Badger Worsted Mill.
The Badger Worsted Mill decided to change what the building made. Instead of flour, it started making worsted yarn. Worsted yarn is a special type of wool yarn that is very smooth and strong. It's used to make clothes and other fabric items.
A Historic Landmark Today
The Badger Worsted Company left Grafton in 1980. But the building is still used today! It has a yarn store inside, which actually started as the Badger Worsted Company's own factory shop. Now, it's a separate business.
The building also has a cozy coffee shop, offices, and art studios. It's a busy place with a lot of history. Because of its importance, the Grafton Flour Mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 30, 1983. This means it's a special building that is protected for future generations to enjoy.
