Located in Oak Brook, Illinois, east of Chicago, stands a historic water mill, one of only two still operating in the Land of Lincoln. This remarkable structure is a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of the Graue family.
Friedrich Graue, an immigrant from Germany, arrived in the United States in the late 1840s. He settled in Fullersburg, a burgeoning farming village and transportation hub. Recognizing the potential of the local clay-rich soil, Graue and his family diligently dug ditches to improve drainage and harvested the clay for brick production. Utilizing their own labor and locally sourced materials, they constructed a kiln on their farmstead and meticulously built the mill, complete with a waterwheel.
The mill began operation in the summer of 1852. Guided by their Pietist faith, the Graues, who opposed slavery, played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad, making their mill one of three confirmed stops in Illinois.
For approximately 60 years, the Graue Mill thrived under three generations of the family. However, advancements in milling technology, particularly the advent of steel rolling mills, eventually led to its decline.
In the 1930s, the derelict mill underwent a significant restoration effort by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Reopened to the public in 1951 as a working historic site, the Graue Mill now serves as a captivating museum, operated by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.
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