Osney Mill facts for kids
Osney Mill was once a busy flour mill in Oxford, England. It sat right by a branch of the River Thames, down Mill Street. A big fire in 1945 badly damaged the mill. For over 60 years, it was left empty and falling apart. But in the early 2010s, its old outer walls became part of a new apartment building.
Near the mill, you can find Osney Lock, which helps boats move along the river. To the east is Osney Cemetery. To the west is Osney Island, a small area surrounded by water. Oxford railway station is just north of the mill.
History of Osney Mill
The Mill's Early Days
Osney Mill stands where an old building called Osney Abbey used to be. The abbey is now mostly gone. However, some parts of the mill building might be very old. There is still a stone and wood structure at the mill site. Experts think it could be from the 1400s! These old parts were made a special protected site in 1954. This means they are a "Grade II listed" building. It shows they are important and need to be kept safe.
A Family Business
In 1895, a man named William Henry Munsey came to Oxford. He had been a farmer in Cambridgeshire. But his farm business suffered because of foot and mouth disease. This is a sickness that affects farm animals. William Munsey first worked for another company. Then, in 1898, he teamed up with Archer Cowley. Together, they took over Osney Mill.
Their partnership did not last long. By 1911, the business became W.H. Munsey Ltd. The mill was very important for making flour for bread. But in 1945, a big fire destroyed the mill. The family decided not to rebuild Osney Mill. The business moved to Wantage, a town south of Oxford. Even though the mill was gone, the Munsey family still owned the land.
New Life for the Old Mill
In 2004, there were plans to build new homes on the mill site. Oxford City Council gave permission for the project. A local building company, Knowles & Son, was chosen for the job. Their task was to turn the old, empty mill building into modern apartments. Work on the renovation started in January 2011. The project is now finished. The old mill walls are now part of a new, busy apartment building.
