Pickwick Mill

Pickwick Mill is a six-story limestone structure in Homer Township with a timber frame and a 20-foot water wheel used to grind grain into flour. The building sits along a stream and relies entirely on flowing water to power its grinding machinery.

The structure was built during the 1800s and operated continuously through the Civil War, supplying flour to Union forces. After the war, it remained important to the region until local grain farming declined in later decades.

The mill stands as a testament to Minnesota's agricultural revolution, demonstrating the transition from manual grain processing to mechanical flour production methods.

The mill welcomes visitors from May through October with guided tours of the machinery inside. Wear comfortable shoes for visiting, as tours involve climbing stairs and moving through tight spaces within the building.

The mill preserves its original grinding equipment from the 1800s and demonstrates how flour was actually made during that era. Visitors can watch real millstones crush grain rather than simply viewing photographs or reading explanations.

Location: Homer Township

GPS coordinates: 43.98039,-91.49672

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:45