J. F. Eesley Milling Co. Flour Mill–Elevator facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Eesley, J. F., Milling Co. Flour Mill--Elevator
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 717 E. Bridge St., Plainwell, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1870 |
| MPS | Plainwell MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001547 |
| Added to NRHP | November 1, 1991 |
The J. F. Eesley Milling Co. Flour Mill–Elevator is an old building in Plainwell, Michigan. It used to be a busy flour mill, grinding grain into flour. Today, it's a cool place that has been updated and is now a brewpub. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. It is also known as the Plainwell Elevator Company.
Contents
The Mill's Story: From Roller Rink to Flour Power
The building where the flour mill is located was first built around 1869. It was originally on the south side of Bridge Street. People think it might have been a roller skating rink back then!
Building the Elevator
The tall elevator part of the building was built around 1870-1873. It was put up at the spot where the mill stands today. We don't know who the first owner was.
John Eesley's Vision
In 1891, a man named John F. Eesley got involved. He was already running another flour mill nearby. Eesley teamed up with three other local business people. They started the Sunshine Flour mill at the Bridge Street site.
Joining Two Buildings
In 1903, John Eesley made a big change. He moved the original mill building from its first spot. He brought it to the current location and connected it to the elevator. He fixed up both parts to make one large building.
A National Leader in Buckwheat Flour
At its busiest, the mill was very important. It could make 600 barrels of buckwheat flour every single day! This made it the second largest producer of buckwheat flour in the entire country.
New Owners and New Life
Eesley ran the mill until he passed away in 1929. Soon after, the Plainwell Elevator Company took over. They kept the building running until at least the 1990s. Today, the building has been updated again. It now houses a brewpub, giving this historic spot a new purpose.
What the Mill Looks Like
The Eesley Mill and Elevator is actually two separate buildings joined together. This happened in 1903. The whole structure is three stories tall. It has a wide front and a very strong timber frame.
Roof Styles and Connections
The mill section has a pointed, triangular roof called a gable roof. The elevator part has a gambrel roof, which has two slopes on each side. A smaller section connects these two parts. This connecting piece has a slightly slanted roof.
Outside Details
The outside of the building is covered with clapboard siding. This means it has long, overlapping wooden boards. It also has many double-hung windows. These windows are square and have sashes that slide up and down.
Loading Area and Extensions
On one side of the building, there is a loading platform made of cinder blocks. It has an overhang to protect it from the weather. This platform runs along the entire length of the building. There is also a small, one-story addition at the back of the elevator building.
