3 Historic Ohio Mills You Can Visit
These 19th-century mills across our state now live on as attractions with purposes that go far beyond the properties’ original ones.
Historic Clifton Mill, Clifton
Built along the Little Miami River in 1802 by Revolutionary War veteran Owen Davis, the Historic Clifton Mill has come a long way since its days of supplying cornmeal to soldiers during the War of 1812. Today, the property houses a restaurant and country store, and a 1940s Gas Station Museum stocked with original products is located next to the mill. The annual Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill event runs Nov. 24 through Dec. 30. Visitors can see the structure lit up for the holidays with a display of over 4 million lights and enjoy a light show synched to music as well as a collection of 3,000 antique Santa statues and a half-acre miniature village. 75 Water St., Clifton 45316, 937/767-5501, cliftonmill.com
Garrett’s Mill & Brewing Co., Garrettsville
This former flour mill turned craft brewery sits on the banks of Eagle Creek in Garrettsville, and since its construction in 1804, it has evolved to hold a restaurant offering elevated pub fare such as sandwiches, flatbreads, appetizers and entrees as well as a brewery that produces a wide range of craft beers. Weather permitting, visitors can enjoy an outdoor dining experience on the lower or upper deck of the patio or in the windowed dining room that provides a scenic view of the creek. Interesting features of the property include the 1977 waterwheel and three large copper vats located upstairs on a balcony overlooking the bar. 8148 Main St., Garrettsville 44231, 330/527-8080, garrettsmillbrewing.com
Stockport Mill Inn, Stockport
Originally built in 1842, Stockport Mill Inn has had many incarnations over the decades, the current being a 14-room hotel that offers guests a tranquil stay surrounded by the forests and hills of southeast Ohio. Powered by hydroelectricity, the mill showcases old-fashioned hospitality with a southern-style restaurant that offers locally sourced, homemade cornbread, fried chicken and beef pot roast. Guests can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities during their stay thanks to the abundance of hiking and fishing spots in the area. Each room at the mill is different, and with options like the Captain Hook Suite on the fourth floor, with a vaulted ceiling and spiral staircase, they certainly make for a unique and cozy stay. 1995 Broadway St., Stockport 43787, 740/559-2822
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