Mill Ruins Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota is the location site of the once famous and vibrant Washburn A Mill. The Washburn A Mill which was established in 1874 but abandoned in the 1960s after several fire outbreaks threatened its existence. The ruins of the mill were all declared historic landmarks and turned into a park.

What is the history of the mill?

In 1874, Cadwallader C. Washburn purchased land west of St. Antony Falls and constructed a state-of-the-art mill that would make Minneapolis the capital of flour milling. He named it after himself ‘Washburn’ and added an article ’A’ and the word ’Mill’ hence the name “Washburn A Mill”. The mill was located at a prime location that saw it thrive over a very short period. Power was supplied by St. Antony Falls while transportation of the mill was done by the railroad that crisscrossed the city of Minneapolis. Workers at the mill were mainly immigrants who were loyal to the owner at an imaginable level. Washburn A Mill faced various challenging threats only two years after it officially opened for business. In 1878, the mill had its first fire outbreak that claimed 18 lives. This was after airborne flour was ignited by a spark in the mill. The owner later installed ventilation systems and dust collectors to prevent the recurrence of the same. Two more fire outbreaks were recorded. One was in 1928 and another in 1991 after it was abandoned. The first fire in 1928 destroyed the major interior of the mill since it was mainly made of wood.

What led to the decline of Washburn A Mill?

Although the mill experienced various fire outbreaks during its operational days, these never led to its desertion. By the beginning of the 1960s, other factors like high transportation rates, unrealistic tariff rates, and energy expenses slowed down business in the mill. Profit decreased over the course of five years which prompted the owners to close down the mill in 1965. Washburn A Mill was left to rot after nine decades of existence.

Current state and hazards at the ruins

The mill after years of disuse was named a national historic landmark. Minor renovations were done on the structure and a museum was established inside its premises. Washburn A Mill got another chance to live but its dilapidated state did not give it a chance to be utilized into something else if not a historic ruin. There is not much to see but dilapidated concrete walls that are barely hanging onto life. The walls that were found to be unstable were reinforced when the ruin and its surrounding was turned into a state park. They are still unstable putting in mind how long they have been subjected to harsh weather conditions. Washburn A Mill is currently called Mills Ruins Park and is open for public tours all year round from 6 A.M in the morning to 10 P.M late in the evening.