Visit Hastings to explore our many miles of scenic views. One favorite is an area called Vermillion Falls Park. Parking on 18th Street East and following the path down the hill and to the left you will come upon the ruins of the Old Ramsey Mill.

The Ramsey Mill was built by Alexander Ramsey and Dr. Thomas Foster in 1856–1857. The river had a waterfall of 19 feet and a width of 50 feet near the 4 story gristmill. An addition included a cooper shop and storage facility. Although Ramsey sold his interest in 1877, it retained his name. Maximum output was achieved in 1894, at 125 barrels per day. On December 22, 1894, the building burned, possibly due to arson.

Leaving the Mill head upstream to a long, wooden bridge spanning a dramatically deep limestone gorge. This bridge was once a train bridge used by the Hastings & Dakota Railroad Company.

Following the trail west through Vermillion Falls Park roughly ½ mile, you’ll see an observation deck on your right. This deck gives you an excellent top-down view of the Vermillion Falls and the Ardent Mills.

In the 19th century, this 35-foot waterfall was used to power the gristmill, today, it’s a beautiful attraction that is easily accessible to all.

Across the river is the Ardent Mills facility. This mill was built in 1853 by Harrison H. Graham and the FIRST operating mill in Minnesota as well as the first all-roller mill facility in the U.S. It was originally powered by the Vermillion River. The purifier, patent barrel and graham flour were invented here.

Three years later it was sold to William G. LeDuc and later on bought by Stephen Gardner, renaming it the Gardner Mill, who eventually develops a reel sifter to create “patent flour,” the primary bakery flour used today.

The mill will change hands eight more time before 2014 when ConAgra, Cargill and CHS combine their milling businesses to form Ardent Mills.

Standing along the falls taking everything in, a person can see the many years of changes this giant building has endured but just like in 1853 it still has its place in history next to the falls.

Photos by: David R. Youngren