When we toured the Stockdale Mill in July, somebody mentioned Bonneyville Mill in Elkhart County. (The link will take you to an historical accounting of the mill.) It is considered the oldest continually operating grist mill in Indiana. Finding out that it only operates May through October, we decided this would be our last chance this year.
Originally I was going to visit last Friday. After a cold rainy Thursday, it was too cold Friday to take a picnic lunch. (I put my electric blanket on my bed Friday night for the first time this autumn.) I had planned to tour the mill, then go to Das Dutchman Essenhaus in nearby Middlebury for a piece of pie. When the forecast showed today (Sunday) would be pleasant, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity. The mill is only open Wednesday thru Sunday.
Unfortunately, Das Essenhaus is closed on Sundays. Instead we drove a little further north to Mottsville, Michigan, and ate at Jaywalker's next to the Saint Joseph River.
Saint Joseph River next to Jaywalker's
I am curious why the writing on the side of the building and sign says mills plural. I guess because at one time there was not only the grist mill but a sawmill? The brochure mentions a sawmill.Truthfully, I was a little disappointed in our experience. There was no tour guide like at Stockdale, just an information card for a self-guided tour. The mill had half as many machines and chutes, etc. as the mill in Roann. It wasn't running, but a young man in charge of the sales counter on the main floor crossed the room and turned things on so we could see the grinding operations. This mill does produce flour and meal which is bagged and then sold.
Corn ground into meal, flour, and grits.
Hanging from the beams were examples of the plants from which grain is taken: wheat, rye, barley, and spelt.I didn't see a legend to these numbered jars. I suppose they are what the unground grains and corn look like. The mill sells buckwheat flour. I learned that buckwheat is not a grain, but the flower of a plant. Thus buckwheat is truly gluten free. Since we only saw a demo on the main floor, the belts and pulleys and sorters were quiet on the upper two floors.
The welcome area of the mill had some items that were interesting-looking but unlabeled.The mill is surrounded by 222 acres of park with some hills and trails for cycling, hiking, and an access point to the Little Elkhart River for fishing. In winter, folks cross-country ski and two hills provide sledding.I knew from what I had read on the internet that the park took part in the quilt barns program.
This barn across from the mill and surrounded by picnic tables is where the grain is stored before being milled.I also knew from some comments that a dahlia garden was near the mill.
Next to the quilt barn was a windmill
But we had some fun surprises. Every so often you could hear the clip-clop of horses' hooves. Amish buggies went by alone or in twos. I surmise they were returning from the church meeting somewhere in the area.Just about the time we were going to head for our car, a group of 5 ladies showed up with musical instruments. I chatted with one of the husbands (who told me they were the toters for the wives) who said the group was called Simple Strings. They play sometimes for special events in the park, but today wanted to enjoy each other on a nice day.They set up in the wagon bay of the mill and played lively folk tunes.This path led to the ramp entrance and next to that in the open air was the bay where the musicians played.It was an enjoyable outing though our trees have yet to show much color. My husband used Google maps on his phone; we were directed to drive several county rural roads to the restaurant and then to Bonneyville.
