Lost in Time
Let me tell you about a place I fell in love with almost 30 years ago. This area has so much history. The architecture is remarkable. It is lush and green. It is a six-story stone building located in the middle of nowhere. It is nestled along the beautifully scenic Turkey River in Clayton County, Iowa.
Easter, Iowa is one of my favorite places in Iowa. We have passed by this old flour mill called Motor Mill for almost 30 years. However, we had never had the pleasure to see inside this historic building. It has been standing since the 1860’s. To walk back in time, we see how it was used. We also understand why they no longer use it.
Vision behind the Mill
The aspiration was to establish a thriving community. It was aptly named “Motor.” This community was centered around a state-of-the-art milling operation despite the fact that motors hadn’t even been invented yet. Sadly, the community didn’t survive, but the mill remains, and it is probably haunted with stories of the past.
The mill’s short life was plagued with agricultural problems. Bugs destroyed the wheat crop, and natural disasters also struck. The Great Flood of 1882 washed away the railroad tracks before the line was completed. It also flooded the mill’s bottom floor.
Today the mill is run by the Clayton County Conservation Board. It sits on 155 acres of land. The property houses the original mill, cooperage, ice house, inn, and stable. All of these structures are constructed from locally quarried limestone.
Today, the mill is a hub for community events. We stumbled upon these events during our drive. It was a great surprise since we initially intended to only see the mill.
The best part of visiting Motor Mill is there is no gift shop or entry fee. Just raw, unfiltered history as you step back in time to see how flour was ground up. If you’re looking for a quiet little stop, this is a perfect choice. You can hike around the area. You can also enjoy music during a community event. Moreover, you can take part in a living history presentation.To learn more about the mill, visit https://motormill.org/
Eateries in Northeastern Iowa
So where do the locals eat, you ask? Okay, maybe you didn’t ask, but man do we always ask! As luck would have it, I had a local man with me. My husband knew right where to eat. My husband is from this area. Johnston’s in Elkader is somewhere his family always ate. They would visit while growing up in the area. The prices were amazing which gave it a great hometown feel. The service was good. We enjoyed our meal in a small dining room. They can open it up to a larger room for bigger parties. The prices were amazing which gave it a great hometown feel. I can definitely understand why locals love this place!
Crossing the Mississippi
Why did the Scherfs cross the river? Of course, to see the other side!
Stay tuned to find out where we went after we crossed the mighty Mississippi River.If you like what you see, please like it and subscribe to our blog.