Old Mill State Park

About Old Mill State Park

The steam-powered mill in Old Mill State Park is a bold milestone in the past: a water mill that first grinded flour in the United States at the end of World War II.

The Middle River winds through the park, and visitors can see deer, beavers and elk, and Old Mill State Park is an island in an unspoiled landscape of ocean and farmland. Enjoy the ever-changing parade of forest paths, trails and trails, as well as the picturesque views of the Middle River. The old mill with its historic mill house is popular with visitors, as is the old mill house and the mill itself.

The floodplain forest is inhabited by plants and animal species that originally lived here, and it contains the remains of what the area must have looked like to the early European settlers centuries ago.

Small areas of oak savannah and prairie are still found along ridges and beaches, and in the lower layers, wet prairies still survive.

The entire northwestern corner of the state was once covered by a huge freshwater lake, and although the area remains relatively flat due to glacial activity prior to the lake's formation, it is the largest plain to be found here. As sea levels dropped, large ridges formed as waves were exposed and new stretches of coastline dug. One ridge is located about one mile east of this park, the other about two miles west of Old Mill State Park.

Every time the water level of the lake fell, the river cut a deeper channel and its valley was divided as it flowed through the loose sediment that the lake had left behind.

The river valley that flows through the park serves as an access corridor for many species. Typical for young river valleys is a large variety of bird species, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds of prey.

Large mammals include deer and elk, but beaver bears are the most common species in Old Mill State Park, along with coyotes, elk, coyotes, foxes, wolves and bears.

Birds roaming this part of Minnesota add another dimension to the park's wildlife in spring and fall. During the migration, warblers and finches are common, and you can even see magpies and scarlet tanagers.

The park is home to about 100 bird species, and ground breeders - marsh linden - are frequent summer visitors. Eagles are often spotted in transit and broad-tailed falcons hunt small animals, but long-eared owls have also been spotted in the parks.

The historic grounds of the park were originally managed by the Larson family in 1882, and from 1886 on several mills were built in and around the park.

The original mill was operated on water and when it was destroyed by a flood in 1889, it was rebuilt as a windmill. In 1897 the mill was moved to the park, where it stands today, but it was also destroyed. It was rebuilt as a watermill and moved back to its current location at the end of the road in 1929.

The mill was owned and operated by several people before it was sold to the state in 1937. It was rebuilt in 1958 and put into operation by a steam engine from the mill, and then again in 1961.

The ridge above the old lake served as a route for Indians, traders and settlers. The ridge east of the park was a trail for the early settlers, and an ox cart trail known as the Pembina Way, with a river crossing, is still visible.

From Argyle you can drive to Old Mill State Park on the north side of the river and then drive south to the Pembina Way Trailhead and Old Lake.