Des Plaines in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Socrates Rand Grist Mill

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

1. Socrates Rand Grist Mill Marker

Inscription. Socrates Rand constructed a gristmill for processing local grain on his property northeast of modern day Miner Street and River Road in 1851. It was the sole competition for the 1841 Jefferson Family mill just a couple miles south along the Des Plaines River. When the railroad came through this area in 1854, Rand held the prime location for farmers transporting commodities to the Chicago market. Eminent local physician Dr. Clarence Earle acquired the Rand Mill circa 1895 and dismantled the antiquated equipment to make a coach house. The Held-Helfers family next door took the millstone to use in their landscaping. The large millstone remained at the property until acquired by the History Center in 1970.

Erected 2021 by Daniel Meckes, Eagle Scout, BSA Troop 160.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 42° 2.341′ N, 87° 53.189′ W. Marker is in Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on East Prairie Avenue east of Pearson Street, on the

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right when traveling north. The marker is on the site of the Des Plaines History Center, between the Kinder House and the old bank building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 781 Pearson Street, Des Plaines IL 60016, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Des Plaines Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2992 (here, next to this marker); Des Plaines Pumping Station Cornerstone (a few steps from this marker); Elmer Zaleski (a few steps from this marker); Ernest Mensching (a few steps from this marker); John Markgraff (a few steps from this marker); Frederick Ladendorf (a few steps from this marker); George Cook (a few steps from this marker); Ernst Beth (a few

Socrates Rand Grist Mill marker and millstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

2. Socrates Rand Grist Mill marker and millstone

steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Plaines.

More about this marker. The marker is one of three erected behind the Kinder House on the property of the Des Plaines History Center as part of an Eagle Scout project by Daniel Meckes of Scouts Troop 160.

Regarding Socrates Rand Grist Mill. The Rand Mill survived into the 1970s, next to the house that Clarence Earle (referenced on this marker) built for his family. After the home was damaged in a fire in 1978, both it and the Rand Mill building were razed.

The Rand name is still prominent in and around Des Plaines. Rand Road is a major thoroughfare that cuts diagonally through Des Plaines and several other northwest suburbs. There is also a Rand Park in Des Plaines.

Also see . . .
1. Our Lost Heritage: Earle House and Rand Mill. From the Revitalize Des Plaines! blog, the story of the Rand Mill, which survived into the late 1970s but was razed soon after the neighboring Earle House was damaged in a fire.

Excerpt: "Then on May 14, (1978,) tragedy struck. A fire broke out in a second floor bedroom of the Earle House, which had been converted
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

3. Three historical markers at the Des Plaines History Center
The markers are on the site of the Des Plaines History Center, between the Kinder House and the old bank building.
into five apartments, and was believed to be caused by an overloaded electrical socket. There was no indication of arson. The fire burned for an hour and caused $50,000 in damage, which wasn't covered by insurance. Damage was mostly contained to the second floor and wasn't considered a total loss, but the 22(!) people living there were left without a home. Dooley hadn't sought to demolish the home, since the rental income was paying the taxes. Dooley withdrew the $575,000 offer and the home and mill were soon demolished."

(Submitted on July 8, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Who the heck is Socrates Rand? (Facebook video). The City of Des Plaines offers a brief bio of Socrates Rand, part of its "Des Plaines Stories" series. (Submitted on March 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

3. Encyclopedia of Chicago: Des Plaines, IL. A history of the city from the Chicago Historical Society.

Excerpt: "In 1835 Socrates Rand settled on the river's west bank; in 1837 he opened his home for Episcopal services and in 1838 operated the first school in the cheese room of his cabin. An important
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

4. Eagle Scout project sign
The three historical markers erected behind the Kinder House on the property of the Des Plaines History Center were part of an Eagle Scout project by Daniel Meckes of Scouts Troop 160.
community member, Rand helped to build the railroad by providing timber for a sawmill, and became the first township chairman. In 1857 the first subdivision was named for him."

(Submitted on March 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Des Plaines History Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

5. Des Plaines History Center

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 451 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on March 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.