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United States of America

Motor Mill Historic District

Building National Register of Historic Places listed place

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Motor Mill Historic District, Historic mill complex in Clayton County, Iowa, United States

The Motor Mill Historic District includes a six-story limestone gristmill measuring 90 feet tall along the Turkey River southeast of Elkader.

Built in 1869 by John Thompson, James Crosby, and J.P. Dickinson, the mill operated until 1883 when a major flood caused substantial damage.

German stonemasons from Communia constructed the mill walls with different stone styles, demonstrating their individual craftsmanship techniques through the structure.

The Clayton County Conservation Board maintains the site as a public park with opportunities for paddling activities and guided tours of the historic buildings.

Stone for construction traveled from nearby bluffs via cable cars running on wooden rails, creating an engineering achievement for the 19th century.

Location: Iowa

GPS coordinates: 42.80703,-91.35139

Latest update: September 23, 2025 14:25

Historical sites and natural areas in Iowa

30 elements

Iowa features historical buildings, museums and natural areas. Visitors find caves, geological formations, historical mills and botanical gardens. The state houses railway museums, Norwegian cultural sites and several parks with sandstone cliffs.

Around this place

Motor Mill Historic District

Motor Mill Historic District, Historic mill complex in Clayton County, Iowa, United States

Historical sites and natural areas in Iowa

Lock and Dam No. 10

St. Mary's Catholic Church

St. Joseph's Catholic Church

Schmidt House

Lakeside Ballroom

Elkader Keystone Bridge

Elkader Opera House

St. Peters United Evangelical Lutheran Church

Timothy Davis House

Clayton County Courthouse

Elkader Downtown Historic District

Carter House

Clayton School

J.C. Stemmer House

St. Olaf Auditorium

Mederville Bridge

Matt-Bahls House

Albertus Building

First Congregational Church

Guttenberg National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium Historic District

Front Street Historic District

Fuerste House

I.O.O.F. Hall

Guttenberg Corn Canning Co.

Guttenberg State Bank

Kolker House

Rialto Price House

World's Largest Strawberry

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