Arcola Mills

Arcola Mills, site of an 1847 lumber milling community, is located 6 miles north of Stillwater, MN on

Arcola Mills, a thriving lumber milling community in the late 1800's is now a place of historic and natural wonder. Situated on the nationally designated 'Wild and Scenic' St. Croix River just 6 miles north of Stillwater, Minnesota on Highway 95. Arcola Mills allows the visitors to step back in time while communing with the splendor of one of the area's greatest natural resources.

05/30/2026

ARCOLA MILLS
Full of memories from 179 years of history and living

05/27/2026

Nature and the spiritual renewal are part of Katharine's wishes.
Join us to keep habitat restoration continuing.
www.arcolamills.org

05/25/2026

The oldest wood-frame house in Minnesota. The Arcola Mills mansion built in 1847 by the lumberman John and Martin Mower and restored in the 1930 by Dr Henry and Katharine Van Meier. Its historic beauty and charm can be seen at any angle.
www.arcolamills.org

05/21/2026

The historic property of Arcola Mills sits along the St Croix River. The land encompasses over 3,000 feet of St Croix River frontage, all part of the St Croix National Scenic Riverway. Arcola Stream flows into the St Croix and is part of an ongoing water monitoring for the St Croix water quality program.

05/18/2026

Join our effort to protect the native, rare and endangered plant life and habitat.
www.arcolamills.org

05/11/2026

To the many that view the St Croix River as a place of paradise, fun, fishing, and boating you may be surprised at its history. I view the St Croix River as the umbilical cord of Minnesota. In its early years it was the fishing grounds and travel way to the indigenous people for centuries. In 1837 a treaty changed that by opening the vast pine forest for logging. It was not long after you started to see sawmills being built on the St Croix. Arcola Mills was the 3rd sawmill built on the St Croix River. At this time the river was used to build an industry that built a state. The photo shows how the river became a transport route to fuel the lumber industry. This also brought lawsuits as merchants could not get supplies up river for months on end.
www.arcolamills.org

05/10/2026

Today we celebrate all mothers including the two Mothers of ARCOLA MILLS.
Gratia Mower, wife of John Mower and mother of 5 children. As important as that was to her it didn’t define her. Gratia is the definition of a pioneering woman traveling from Maine in 1840 across country and up the Mississippi to arrive at Arcola in 1847. Mother having 2 children in route to Arcola and 3 more born at Arcola. Educator, she was a strong force to set up Arcola school. Entrepreneur, to solve the problem of getting supplies she worked with Martin to set up the general store at Arcola, along with many other projects. Liaison Gratia was the negotiator with the native neighbors trading supplies for moccasins and furs and game. Hostess, Gratia planned and hosted many events involving clients to Governors.

Katharine Van Meier a mother of 2 was a remarkable woman who played a pivotal role in preserving a piece of history and fostering a creative community. In the 1930s, she and her husband, Dr. Henry Van Meier, discovered a property that Katharine famously described as “It’s a mirage.” Her vision and determination were instrumental in the 1.5-year process of purchasing and restoring the mansion, rescuing it from decay. With a deep appreciation for the arts and literature, Katharine served on the Stillwater Library Board for many years and envisioned the property as a haven for creativity. She transformed the estate into an artist colony by acquiring and placing whimsical cabins around the grounds, creating an inspiring environment for artists, writers, and families alike. Her enduring legacy is the donation of the estate to the Arcola Mills Historic Foundation, ensuring its preservation and use as a sanctuary to nurture the human spirit amidst the beauty of nature.
www.arcolamills.org

05/01/2026

Logging and lumber were the businesses behind Arcola Mills. It started in 1845 when Martin Mower and his partners purchased the land at Arcola to build a sawmill. Completed in early 1847 it soon became a major contributor to the timber trade. The St Croix River served as a vital artery for transporting pine logs from the dense forests to the various sawmills, along the river. Each spring, the thawing ice marked the beginning of the log drive, where massive quantities of logs were floated downstream, temporarily raising water levels. Once the main log drive has passed the water level goes down, leaving straggler logs lodged on the banks of the river. The rear drive loggers had the critical task of ensuring these stragglers were returned to the river, maintaining the flow of timber to its final destinations. This process not only highlighted the industry's reliance on natural waterways but also showcased the labor-intensive efforts of the loggers who navigated these challenges.
This photo shows the stragglers along the riverbank at Arcola.
PHOTO: taken by Photographer John Runk in 1911
From the Historical Collection No. 314

04/26/2026

National Volunteer Week April 19th to the 25th. Arcola Mills wants to give a shout out to all the volunteers that have believed in our mission and the care of this rare historical place. You are a lifeline to the success of Arcola Mills. THANK YOU! Go to www.arcolamills.org to learn how you can Volunteer at Arcola Mills

Address

12905 Arcola Trl N, PO Box 313
Stillwater, MN
55082

Website

http://www.ArcolaMills.org/

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