Magnolia Flouring Mills was built in 1834 by Richard Elson (Credit: Ken Drenten).

Magnolia Flouring Mills, also known as Magnolia Mill and Elson’s Mill, is a magnificent, larger-than-life grist mill located in the small town of Magnolia, Ohio, in Stark County.

Built in 1834 by Richard Elson and strategically located along the Sandy & Beaver Canal, the mill was operated by five generations of the Elson family for 171 years before being acquired by the Stark County Park District in 2005. It was recognized in the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

Five generations of the Elson family operated the mill, which produced Magnolia Flour. The Elsons distributed their products via the nearby canal and railroad line. Elson family members who operated the mill were Richard, 1834-1857; Augustus R., 1857-1904; Richard, 1904-1949; Mack, 1949-1995 and Augustus, 1995-2005.

Many pieces of antique equipment used in the mill are on display inside (Credit: Ken Drenten).

The interior of the mill displays original sandstone foundation stones, original hand-hewn beams dating from the mill’s construction in 1834, and many pieces of antique equipment.

The five-story, red-painted mill was originally powered by a single wooden undershot waterwheel. Over time a wooden overshot waterwheel replaced the original, followed by a single steel and then a double steel overshot waterwheel, installed in 1900. The mill began using electric power starting in 1948.

The 4.97-acre mill property includes a segment of the Sandy & Beaver Canal behind the mill, the water rights for the canal and a dam. The park will serve as a trailhead for a recreational trail in the future.

Stark Parks plans to upgrade the mill with an accessible pathway through the first floor of the mill as well as improvements in restrooms and parking.

The mill, located at 261 Main St., Magnolia, is open for scheduled group tours only; call (330) 477-3552 for information.

Learn more about Ohio mills at Dusty Tires.

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

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