History
The Origins
In the early 1840s, before Minnesota became a state and shortly after the founding of the first settlements in the territory (Stillwater and Marine on St. Croix), John and Martin Mower moved to the St. Croix River Valley. They sought to capitalize on the logging boom in the Midwest. They built a small saw mill which was prosperous and developed a village on the shores of the St. Croix River known as Arcola, centered on a lumber mill. The sawmill remains still stands today.
By 1847 the Mower brothers completed construction of a grand Greek revival-style home at Arcola Mills, followed by a general store, carpentry and blacksmith shops, a small boat-building operation, a one-room schoolhouse, and homes for the mill workers. It was an entire village in and of itself. Regarded as the oldest and largest timber frame house in Minnesota, the Mower house, as well as the original Arcola sawmill chimney, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cutting over one million board feet per year, legend has it that the lumber cut at Arcola Mills built the homes, villages and cities along the Mississippi River as far away as St. Louis. The lumber boom lasted only until the early 1900s. The sawmill closed and the Mower family home and surrounding village fell into disrepair.
The Mowers are noted for other accomplishments in Minnesota. John Mower was the statesman of the two. John was a Washington County Comissioner, served in both the Territoral and the State legislature, and Mower County Minnesota is named for John. Martin was the shrud business man. He became President of the St Croix Boom Site as the largest shareholder owning 540 of the 977 shares. He also develop the first Ice Boat, "Queen Piajuk" on the St Croix.
The Revival
In the mid-1930s, newlyweds Dr. Henry Van Meier and his wife Katharine of Stillwater, Minnesota stumbled upon the abandoned property while hunting ferns. They knew they had to make it their own and purchased the Mower house and its surrounding 50+ acres of property on the St. Croix River. It became their summer house. Katharine was known for her fabulous lawn parties and Henry destress while making items on his loom. They also developed a small artists' colony. Van Meiers purchased and moved 9 eclectic cottages around the property. This provided a space and inspiration from land and water for creative individuals who spent time at the property.
Today
Arcola Mills is owned and operated by the nonprofit Arcola Mills Historic Foundation. Our mission is to promote understanding and involvement in the habitat of our environment. Preservation and historical stewardship of the buildings and property history, with our communities through education, volunteerism, leadership, and programing. The restoration and maintenance of Arcola Mills is made possible by generous contributions from individuals, community groups, and our sponsors. The Foundation is run by volunteers, so your contrbutions go directly to the Arcola Mills projects. Please click the Donate botton and assist us continue our mission.
CURRENT PROJECTS
- Phase II of our Habitat Restoration. Building and planting native plant pollinator plots around the property to increase the pollinator populations. Thanks to the Help Grant.
- Maintenance on the lumber-era Greek revival mansion, built in 1847. The oldest timber-frame home in Minnesota.
- Continue our cooperation with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum - Plant Conservation Program regarding our rare and endangered plant species.
- Continue particapation in the St Croix River quality water project.
