A bright red mill next to a stone and rock dam on the clear waters of the Huzzah Creek is the setting for Dillard Mill State Historic Site.

History of Dillard Mill

Francis Wisdom built a water-powered gristmill in the 1850s with a dam.

Joseph Dillard Cottrell purchased the mill in 1881. The village of Dillard developed around the mill.

In 1895, the mill burned. Shortly after 1900, Emil Mischke, using timbers from Wisdon’s Mill, built the mill that stands today. The mill operated commercially until 1956 at the end producing cattle feed.

In 1972 the property was sold to the L.A.D. Foundation of St. Louis, which leases the mill property to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for management of state historic sites.

Water Powered Gristmill

This mill is one of Missouri’s best-preserved examples of a water-powered gristmill.

The first step in the milling process was the cleaning of the grains to be milled. Cleaners removed dirt and debris from the corn or wheat before it entered the rest of the system.

Dressers sifted the flour through a progressively finer wire and silk reels.

A roller mill was used for the “first break” where the husk was sheared from the wheat kernel.

All power for the mill was produced by a “Samson” turbine manufactured by the Leffel Co.

Wooden and metal- teethed gears meshed together to transmit power to the drive shafts.

Arriving at the Mill

The road you take off the main highway ends at the mill parking area. Here there is a wooden kiosk that has information on the mill, the property and brochures, and map of the area is available. 

Old Dillard Cemetery

Near the parking area for the mill is the Old Dillard Cemetery surrounded by a wooden fence. The oldest grave in the cemetery is for Eliza Wisdom who passed in 1853. She was a relative of Francis Wisdom who owned the mill.

Walking Towards the Mill

It is a short hike to the mill from the parking lot. You cross a wooden bridge over a former Huzzah Creek bed and then pass by picnic tables. Along this way are more wooden kiosks about the area and the mill.

By the Mill

My son Andrew and I walked around the mill checking at the small walkways closer to the dam and the bottom of the mill. Part of these walkways was closed off for some reason.

I did manage to gain some views of the mill sluice used to channel water towards the mill. We didn’t venture up closer to the mill since we did the tour last time we were here. Also, due to Covid-19, they are limiting tours to the first level.

Starting the Hike

Next, we headed back down the mill path to the front of the Mill Pond.

Near a wooden fence is the entrance to the 1.5-mile hiking trail on the property. You first walk behind the clear waters of the pond. When I walked closer to the pond I scared away some huge turtles. Look for aquatic life as you walk around it.

Last time we were here some birds had built nests on the sand bar in the creek. This area is filled with wildlife.

Cross Huzzah Creek

The creek was low today so it was pretty easy to cross. The last time we were here it was high so we didn’t do the walk. We walked over the pebbles in the creek as the water swished by our shoes. Look for the red marker across the creek bed to keep following the trail.

Bluffs

Next, we headed up into the bluff. This takes some climbing and it is pretty steep for younger kids. Expect to help them out as you head up into the bluff. The stairs going up are far apart so I told Andrew to watch his step.

The walk up is worth it if only for full views of the water crashing white over the dam or cascading down the sharp rocks by the dam in small waterfalls. We also had a full-on view of the three-story red mill with its black-framed windows anchored in by a solid rock foundation.

“I want to go back,” Andrew said as I took photos of the mill. I looked as the trail narrowed and followed along the cliffs. Across the creek, a green field with hay bales was in view. It might have been nice to see more of the woods and surrounding countryside, but it was not meant to be today. We turned back and headed to the parking lot.

The picturesque mill and short hikes around this area made it a worthy stop for today.

DETAILS

The Drive: Dillard Mill is about two hours southwest of St. Louis. Take Interstate 44 to Exit 208 for Highway 19. Then turn onto Highway 19/Highway 49 and head south. In Cherryville go left onto Highway 49 stay on this road until you see a sign for the Park and Dillard Mill Road. You go down this road for about 1.7 miles to the parking area. The road starts paved and then becomes gravel as you go towards the parking lot.

Hours: Grounds 8 am – 8 pm daily Oct-May and 8 am – 5 pm daily Nov. – April

Due to Covid-19, the hours for the mill are from 10 am to 3:30 pm Thursday- Sunday.

Admission: Mill Tour: $5 Adults, $4 Ages 6-17 and Free Age 0-5

Address: 142 Dillard Mill Road, Davisville, MO. 65456

Nearby Sites

Dad Hikes: Red Bluff Was More Swimming Than Hiking

Red bluffs towering above you on Huzzah Creek in the Ozarks carved by the elements over the past 10,000 years.

Red Bluff Recreation Area in Mark Twain National Forest was once home to timber mills, but now provides a serene place to enjoy nature.

We spent our time swimming here during the summer, but taking the small trails down by the river and checking out the red bluffs clear of foliage is worthy of a nearby stop.

Dad Hikes: Onondaga Cave State Park

Swimming in the Meramec River and hiking to an old cave entrance was our “Sunday Funday” as a family at Onondaga Cave State Park.

The cave is closed this year due to the coronavirus, but we took advantage of many other activities in the park.