Stockport Mill rises high above the Muskingum River (Credit: Ken Drenten).

By Ken Drenten

Built in 1906, the historic Stockport Mill is the last remaining mill on the Muskingum River. The mill is located at the west end of the dam at Lock 6 of the Muskingum River lock system, but it is not the first such structure at the site. A mill has existed at the location since 1842.

Stockport’s milling equipment was operated by electricity generated by turbines that harnessed the power of the river. Indeed, at one time the mill generated enough electricity to supply the needs of the village of Stockport. Milling operations ceased in 1997, but the mill has operated since 2000 as an inn and restaurant.

Now known as Stockport Mill Inn & Restaurant on the Dam, the inn has 14 guest rooms, all with balconies overlooking the river, a dining room and gift shop. The facility is a popular place for business gatherings, weddings, receptions, reunions and getaways.

Stockport Mill has a relaxing spot set aside for guests staying on the Muskingum River (Credit: Ken Drenten).

The inn’s restaurant features a full salad bar and specializes in steaks, ribs, chicken, seafood and pasta. A Sunday buffet is offered as well. The restaurant does not serve alcohol but customers may bring their own adult beverages to the table.

The mill continues to produce power through two Leffel turbines, which drive two generators that together produce about 800,00 kilowatt-hours per year. The generators supply all the power needed by the inn, and any surplus is sold to American Electric Power.

It’s possible to boat to the mill, since it is located at one of the locks in Muskingum River Parkway State Park. The parkway is on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized as the Muskingum River Navigation Historic District. Opened in 1841, the river’s system of locks and dams helped open the state and the entire Midwest to trade and development. It is the only remaining system of hand-operated locks in the nation.

The locks help boats safely bypass 10 dams on the Muskingum River from Zanesville south to the Ohio River at Marietta. These locks are operated at no charge for recreational boats. 

Stockport Mill Inn is located at 1995 Broadway Ave., Stockport, Ohio. Find out more about other mills in Ohio in Dusty Tires.

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

Subscribe to Dusty Tires and receive a weekly email with the latest blog article. It’s free and ad-free!

All rights reserved, Dusty Tires (dusty-tires.com), 2024.