Monroe City Mill

[2][3] The stone foundation, including the water-wheel arch, remain on the original site.

The Mill was located on the north bank of the Monroe City Creek, about one quarter mile below its source at a karst spring.

The valley created by erosion from the creek is generally referred to as "the Monroe City Hollow."

The dam was 15' tall and collected water which was channeled to the mill through a wooden trough.

At an unknown time, a steel pipe was installed to carry water directly from the spring, about 1/4 mile away.

The resulting ground meal then dropped through sifters and into bagging bins, all powered by the water wheel.

In 1880, Gottleib Ziebold upgraded the grindstones to steel rollers which dramatically increased efficiency.

The steam boiler required constant attention to maintain the proper operating pressure.

[3] According to the Combined History (1883), "Where Monroe City now stands Andrew Kinney built a water mill, and this vicinity, at an early time, became one of the important business points of the county.

Below is an advertisement that appeared in the Illinois Herald newspaper, announcing the cotton milling service.

[5] General Thomas James purchased the Mill sometime between 1823 and 1827, after he returned from his New Mexico expedition.

He moved his family to Monroe City, from the town of California, Moniteau County, Missouri, where he owned a steam grist mill.

He moved the family back to Moniteau County and operated the mill there until his wife Magdalena's death in 1872.

Gottleib then moved the family back to Monroe City and resumed operating the Mill.

He contracted with the Richmond Indiana Steel Company to install metal rollers to replace the water-powered grindstones.

[3] Duryea spent at least 2 years in Monroe City, living with the Ziebold family.

He visited the Madonnaville Cave where he etched his name and bicycle drawings into a rock shelf.

The Monroe City Mill in 1894.The two story section at right would have been built in 1827 by Thomas James. The lean-to and smokestack would have been built in 1851 when the mill was converted to steam power.
The plaque on the historical monument.
This is the Mill Spring and the remains of the pipe that carried water about 1/4 mile to the Mill.
This ad appeared in the Illinois Herald newspaper on December 4, 1814, to announce the opening of Andrew Kinney's cottonseed hulling machine service at the Monroe City Mill.
This ad appeared in the Illinois Herald newspaper on December 4, 1814, to announce the opening of Andrew Kinney's cottonseed hulling machine service at the Monroe City Mill.
These are the remains of the Monroe City Mill today, showing the rock arch over the water wheel.
Ziebold Mill Interior
Monument to Ziebold with creek and remains of the mill in background.
Duryea’s name scrawled on a rock shelf in the Madonnaville Cave