The Old Mill

This mill fed Iron County, then changed its trade entirely. The Cedar Co-operative built it in 1876 — a big three-story wooden mill turned by water led in from Coal Creek — and for a generation it ground the flour, cereal, and livestock feed for much of the county. In 1900 rollers replaced the old grinding stones. Then, in 1934, the mill stopped grinding grain altogether and started grinding gypsum instead, running as a plaster mill until 1945. The building came down in 1952. For seventy-five years, though, it was one of the busiest places in the valley.

What the plaque says

On this site, in 1876, the Cedar Co-operative Mercantile and Manufacturing Institution constructed the Cedar Co-op Mill. It was a large, three-story wooden building. The original two sets of four foot grinding stones were turned by water which was brought in a ditch from Coal Creek to the South and East. This mill ground the flour, cereal and livestock feed for much of Iron County. In 1900 the grinding stones were replaced by a set of rollers. The Mill was changed to a plaster mill in 1934 and operated until 1945. In 1952 the building was torn down and the property sold to Cedar City. For many years this mill was a hub of activity in this valley. Site No. 8 Cedar City Chapter Sons of Utah Pioneers Dedicated November 10, 1984

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Brian Head — 11 mi
  Utah's highest town — a ski-and-bike base camp at the top of Parowan Canyon
• Cedar Breaks National Monument — 11 mi
  A 2,000-foot-deep amphitheater of vivid orange and red rock
• Parowan Gap Petroglyphs — 13 mi
  An ancient rock art gallery hidden in a desert canyon
• Kolob Canyons — 17 mi
  The quiet, uncrowded back door to Zion National Park

More markers nearby

• Ward Hall — 1.0 mi
• Iron Pioneers Flag Pole — 1.1 mi
• The Old Iron Foundry — 1.1 mi
• Deseret Iron Works (2) Markers — 1.2 mi