Hodgson Water Mill

On the side of Missouri’s Highway 181, Hodgson Water Mill demands attention with its red-painted weatherboards and lush spring-fed waterfall. In 1897, the present mill was finished after the original mill was a casualty of the American Civil War. Sitting upon a spring that pumps out an average of 23.5 million gallons of water per day, Hodgson Mill churned out everything from flour to textiles to lumber.

Ownership of the Hodgson Mill (also known as the Hodgson-Aid Water Mill) has passed through many hands. Once cabins, an antique store, canoe rental, and a campground, the Mill has worn many hats. The last large-scale production of flour was in 1976. A flood in 1982 wrecked the primary milling room. In 2011, the mill was bought by professional preservationists.

Today, Hodgson Mill remains mostly closed, but a parking lot allows visitors to take photos outside of the mill. Not only is the mill picturesque, but a small trail along the creek with a bridge makes for a romantic setting.