Mitchell-Maskrey Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mitchell-Maskrey Mill
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 120 E. Pleasant Maquoketa, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1886 |
| MPS | Maquoketa MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 89002111 |
| Added to NRHP | August 9, 1991 |
The Mitchell-Maskrey Mill is a really old and important building in Maquoketa, Iowa, United States. It's known for its long history of grinding grains. This mill has been working for a very long time, even though it has changed owners over the years. It's a special part of Maquoketa's history.
Contents
The Mill's Early Days
The story of milling in Maquoketa began way back in 1838. A man named John Goodenow started the very first mill here. This was a big deal because mills were super important for turning grains like wheat into flour. Flour was needed for making bread and other foods.
Later, in 1842, John Goodenow sold his mill. A new owner, Joseph McCloy, took over. He built an even bigger mill along Mill Creek, which was just south of the town. This new mill helped the community grow.
How the Mill Building Came to Be
In 1865, a person named Edward Maskrey started leasing, or renting, the mill from Joseph McCloy. A few years later, Edward Maskrey bought the land where the mill stood. This land actually belonged to the Methodist Church before he bought it.
Edward Maskrey first ran his mill inside the old church building itself! But in 1886, a new, strong building was constructed. This new building was made of brick and had three stories. It was built right around the old wooden church building. Once the new brick mill was finished, the old church building was taken apart.
A Long-Lasting Business
Even though the mill building changed owners, the business inside kept going. It has been a working mill continuously since it first started. This is pretty amazing for such an old building!
In 1912, Frank Mitchell joined Stephen Maskrey in the business. From that time on, the company has been known as the Mitchell-Maskrey Co. This name has stuck for over a hundred years.
A Special Building in Town
The Mitchell-Maskrey Mill is unique in Maquoketa. It's the only industrial building, like a factory or a mill, located in the town's main shopping and business area. This area is called the central business district. Most industrial buildings are usually found outside of the main town center.
Because of its long history and importance, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. This means it's recognized as a special place that should be protected.
Overcoming Challenges
The mill has faced some tough times. On January 19, 2008, there was a huge fire in Maquoketa. This fire destroyed five buildings and badly damaged another one right next to the mill. The Mitchell-Maskrey Mill also got some damage from this big fire. But it was repaired and continued to operate, showing how strong and important it is to the town.
