Group of Students Watching the Water-powered Gristmill at Carillon Historical Park, ca. 1950s

As one of the original buildings here at Carillon Park, the Gristmill has provided entertainment for a lot of visitors over the years.  The Gristmill has served a duel function over the years: providing both educational insight of a historical process and a place in which the Park’s caretaker could live on-site.  Outfitted with an original millstone, the mill is operated by water power provided by the sizable wooden water wheel located on the left side of the structure.  A large picture window installed in the lower level of the building allows visitors the opportunity to see how a similar mill would have operated.  Seen here are a group of young school children during a tour of the park in the early 1950s, shortly after the park opened.   Recently, a group of trained and dedicated volunteers at Carillon Historical Park, constructed and installed a new wooden water wheel for use at the Gristmill. This photo is from the NCR Archive at Dayton History.

To see other historical images from our collection, search our Digital Photo Archive.