Graue Mill, History museum in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Graue Mill is a four-story gristmill building powered by a wooden waterwheel that harnesses water from Salt Creek to operate grinding stones. The structure uses the stream's natural flow to process grain into flour, demonstrating how mills operated during that era.
Friedrich Graue, a German immigrant, built this mill in 1852 using limestone from Lemont and bricks made from local clay. The structure was built during an era when water-powered mills were vital centers for grain processing across the region.
The mill represents a working example of how communities relied on grain processing for survival and trade in the 1800s. Watching the waterwheel turn and stones grind shows visitors how ordinary people carried out essential labor back then.
The building is accessible and visitors can join guided tours that show how the milling process works. Plan your visit during warmer months when the mill operates and water flow powers the grinding stones effectively.
The building served as a verified station on the Underground Railroad, offering shelter to people escaping slavery before the Civil War. This hidden history makes the site a powerful reminder of a struggle that touched many lives.
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