Old Mill State Park



Old Mill State Park



Exploring the Old Larson Mill with

some of my siblings, from left to right,

Brigham, Brynn, Brielle, and Bralynne

Getting a history lesson from
a Park Ranger

My sister Brenna and her pumpkin

Old Mill State Park is founded around the old Larson family steam powered mill.  The family came to the area around 1882 and started building their mills around 1886.  The first mills were destroyed by flooding and then rebuilt a few years later, but instead, as a wind powered mill.  Misfortune struck again a few years later when that mill, too, was destroyed by flooding.  It was finally rebuilt as a water-powered mill a short time later.  Over the years, the powering mechanism has included water, wind, and steam.  The state of Minnesota purchased the mill in 1937 and rebuilt it in 1958.  The park boasts a special events through out the year where the old mill is steamed up and operated for interpretive programs.  The park also sits next to the historic Pembina Trail and its travel lanes and oxcart trail are still visible to visitors.



I had the good fortune to visit the park during their annual Pumpkinfest.  For this spectacular event, Friends of Old Mill State Park brought pumpkins to the park for kids and their families to decorate.  I helped my brothers and sisters decorate their pumpkins to prepare for the Halloween Season.  Thank you Old Mill State Park!





Putting the finishing touches on my pumpkin!



Helping my sister, Bralynne