Archibald Mill

Infobox_nrhp
name = Archibald Mill
nrhp_type =

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caption = The Archibald Mill in June 2008
location= Railway Street, Dundas, Minnesota
lat_degrees = 44
lat_minutes = 25
lat_seconds = 47.7
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 93
long_minutes = 12
long_seconds = 22
long_direction = W
locmapin = Minnesota
area =
architect=
architecture=
added = October 08, 1976
governing_body = Private
refnum=76001071cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2008-04-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service] The Archibald Mill is a derelict flour mill in Dundas, Rice County, Minnesota. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [cite web | title = MINNESOTA - Rice County| work = National Register of Historic Places | publisher = National Register of Historic Places.com | url = http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/mn/Rice/state.html | accessdate = 2008-06-24] cite book|title=The National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota|last=Nord|first=Mary Ann|publisher=Minnesota Historical Society|date=2003|isbn=0-87351-448-3] The current ruins are the remains of one of several mills built by the Archibald family on the same site. The original mill was built in 1857.

History

The first mill in Dundas was built by John Sidney (J.S.) and George Archibald on the east bank of the Cannon River in late 1857.cite book | last = Howie | first = Helen E. | title = A Brief History of Dundas | date = 1955 | location = Dundas, Minnesota] At the time, the Cannon River had only one channel in Dundas and an 1860 flood caused a split, routing water further east of the mill and creating an island, which still exists today.cite news | last = DeMann | first = Chip | title = The Archibald Family of Dundas Ontario Canada | work = Dundas Messenger | pages = 3 | language = English | publisher = Concord Publishing, LLC | date = July 2003 | accessdate = 2008-06-27] Across the river was a sawmill, built in 1856 and purchased by the Archibalds for use in constructing their mill. Wooden dams on both channels controlled water flow.

The mill used the most current technology available and produced flour of a fine quality. Called EXTRA, the flour was sold for $1 or $2 more per barrel than other local flours.Citation | last = Neuhaus | first = Majorie E. | title = Dundas once was top mill center in state | pages = 1] Citation | year = 1981 | title = A History of the Grist/Flour Mills of Rice County | series = Rice County History | pages = 39,40]

A second mill was built in 1870 on the west bank of the west channel.

In 1879, the original mill was completely remodeled. A Hungarian roller system was added and it produced better quality flour at an increased rate.

On December 31, 1892, both mills owned by the Archibald family burned. A rebuilt mill burned on November 19, 1914.cite news | title = Dundas Mill Burns | work = Northfield News | language = English | date = November 20, 1914 | accessdate = 2008-06-27] The monetary loss of the fire was $30,000, partially covered by insurance.cite news | title = A Big Loss | work = Northfield News | language = English | date = November 27, 1914 | accessdate = 2008-06-27]

After the 1914 fire, the Archibald Mill was rebuilt for the final time and later partially destroyed in the early 1930s.

Currently ruins of the west bank mill are the most prominent, though some stonework from the original 1857 mill can be seen on the west side of the island.

References