Old Mill State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Mill State Park WPA/Rustic Style Historic Resources
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Marshall County, Minnesota, Off Co. Hwy. 39 E of Argyle |
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| Nearest city | Argyle, Minnesota |
| Area | 25 acres (10 ha) |
| Built | 1937 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | NPS rustic architecture |
| Visitation | 14,465 (2006) |
| MPS | Minnesota State Park CCC/WPA/Rustic Style MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 89001667 |
| Added to NRHP | October 25, 1989 |
Old Mill State Park is a cool place to visit in Minnesota! It's a state park located in Marshall County, in the northwestern part of the state. The park sits right on the Middle River, between the towns of Argyle and Newfolden. This area was once an ancient beach of a huge ice age lake called Lake Agassiz. The park covers about 406 acres.
Park History
The land where Old Mill State Park is today was first settled by the Larson family in 1882. They built different kinds of mills to grind grain. First, there were mills powered by water and wind. Later, a steam-powered mill took their place.
The state of Minnesota bought this land in 1937 to create the park. In 1958, the old steam engine was rebuilt. Today, as part of special events, the historic mill is still run. It works just like it did many years ago!
Amazing Wildlife
Many animals are drawn to the river that flows through Old Mill State Park. You might see large animals like deer and even moose. Smaller animals are also common. Look for beavers, raccoons, white-tailed jackrabbits, and snowshoe hares.
The park is also on a bird migration route. This means many different birds fly through here, especially in spring and fall. The marsh hawk, which nests on the ground, is a common summer visitor. You might also spot owls or even an eagle flying overhead!
A Historic Place
A special part of Old Mill State Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historical sites in the United States. This historic area covers about 25 acres within the park. It includes eight buildings and structures built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was a government program that created jobs during the Great Depression.
The Larson Mill, which is the old mill in the park, is also listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places.
