Near Cooperstown in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Rock Mill
Photographed By Keith L, June 19, 2010
1. Rock Mill Marker
East side of marker.
Inscription.
Rock Mill. . In 1847 New York millwright and speculator Pliney Pierce built this mill adjacent to the rapidly falling waters of Devils River. First constructed as a sawmill, Rock Mill was quickly converted to a gristmill after the area's available timber was depleted. Serving mostly local German, Czech and Irish immigrant farmers, Rock Mill ground as many as 118 bags of grain a day and produced wheat, rye and graham flour and animal feed. The mill functioned as the social center of rural life here for almost 90 years, ceasing operation in 1934.
In 1847 New York millwright and speculator Pliney Pierce built this mill adjacent to the rapidly falling waters of Devils River. First constructed as a sawmill, Rock Mill was quickly converted to a gristmill after the area's available timber was depleted. Serving mostly local German, Czech and Irish immigrant farmers, Rock Mill ground as many as 118 bags of grain a day and produced wheat, rye and graham flour and animal feed. The mill functioned as the social center of rural life here for almost 90 years, ceasing operation in 1934.
Erected 1998 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 377.)
Location. 44° 17.971′ N, 87° 46.516′ W. Marker is near Cooperstown, Wisconsin, in Manitowoc County. Marker can be reached from County Highway R, half a mile north of Schley Road. Marker is located at Devils River Campers Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16612 County Highway R, Maribel WI 54227, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Wisconsin's Dairy Industry
Additional commentary. 1. Maribel Caves Hotel The old stone structure that once was the Maribel Caves Hotel crumbled to the ground from a tornado in the early morning hours of August 7, 2013.
— Submitted August 9, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
Photographed By Keith L, June 19, 2010
2. Rock Mill Marker
West side of marker.
Photographed By Keith L, June 19, 2010
3. Rock Mill and Marker
State and National Register of Historic Places #82000680
Certification date: June 21, 1982
Photographed By Keith L, June 19, 2010
4. Rock Mill
Photographed By Robert L Weber, June 10, 2012
5. The Mill and Waterwheel
Photographed By Robert L Weber, June 10, 2012
6. The Mill Building and a Grinding Stone
Photographed By Keith L, June 19, 2010
7. Rock Mill
Photographed By Keith L, June 19, 2010
8. Entrance to Devils River Campers Park
Photographed By Robert L Weber, June 10, 2012
9. Nearby Devils River
This river once fed the mill.
Photographed By Robert L Weber, June 10, 2012
10. Nearby Maribel Caves County Park
Photographed By Keith L, June 19, 2010
11. Nearby Maribel Caves Hotel
Photographed By Keith L, June 19, 2010
12. Maribel Caves Hotel
Located on private property 0.7 miles south of the Rock Mill marker on County Highway R, this 200 acre health spa and resort was built in 1900. The interior of the building was gutted by fire in 1985.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,646 times since then and 73 times this year. Last updated on May 11, 2023, by Gary Sonnenberg of Waukesha, Wisconsin. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 2, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 5, 6. submitted on June 11, 2012, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. 7, 8. submitted on July 2, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 9, 10. submitted on June 11, 2012, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. 11, 12. submitted on July 2, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.