Before you enter the 1st floor, 2-bedroom apartment under the red porch roof, view the graceful, 100+ year-old bridge's arches where the river dances. If you're a history, architecture or engineer buff, you'll find The Old Mill's interior structure intriguing. If you're looking for relaxation, the sound of water over the dam will sooth you. The Old Mill's a great location from which to launch your bicycling, fishing, and kayaking adventures, to attend the University of Northern Iowa or Wartburg events, to shop Cedar Falls, Waterloo or Waverly, Iowa, or
to host family gatherings.
Inside, unique architectural accents from grain milling days entice you to marvel at the high ceilings graced by maple floor joists that are braced by black walnut columns and saddles in this clean, comfortable living space. Original, massive, 13 1/2-by-12 inch, mortise-and-tenon constructed beams provide the 40-by-30 foot framework for this five-story mill.
NOTE #1: Three of the five levels can be rented. The 1st floor's two-bedroom, 1,200 square-foot apartment is Vrbo property ID# 1056730. SEE NOTE #2 BELOW.
The limestone foundation is 4 feet thick at its base and 3-feet where the basement meets the 1st floor.
Sunlight streams through 6-pane windows removed from the mill prior to 1985; then reinstalled in 2011 above the interior doors of the two bedrooms and full bathroom.
●1,200 square foot, 2-bedroom, 1.5 bath, 1st floor (also referred to as street-level) apartment is furnished with antiques and decorated with mill artifacts.
●BEDROOMS
▪︎Larger bedroom has a queen bed and walnut gentleman's dresser with mirror and marble inset between the handkerchief drawers.
▪︎Smaller bedroom has a full bed and an antique, spoon-carved commode.
▪︎Bedrooms have river views.
●Red accent walls remind you of barns from earlier days.
●BATHROOMS
▪︎ Full bath has a tub/shower combination and large vanity with single sink.
▪︎ Half bath has a pedestal sink, toilet and washer/dryer.
●Towels, linens, hair dryer, soap and shampoo are provided.
● LIVINGROOM
▪ ︎ Furnished with a comfy leather couch, two recliners, and a futon that makes into a full-size bed with extra thick mattress.
▪︎ Walnut columns divide the living and dining areas.
●DINING AREA: Antique-oak table seats four to six with an eclectic mix of captains chairs and walnut chairs with caned seats.
●KITCHEN: Open to both living and dining areas with plenty of cabinets and counter space. Maple flooring from 1940's country school.
▪︎ Fully equipped plus basic, complimentary provisions including:
popcorn, coffee pods, tea, hot cocoa, sugar, spices, waffle mix, syrup and cooking oil; plates, mugs, glasses, flatware; casserole dishes, baking and muffin pans.
▪︎ Appliances: Prepare popcorn or a four-course meal using the microwave, blender, electric glass-top range, oven, refrigerator and crock pot. A dishwasher and double-sink make your clean-up easy.
▪︎Coffee pots: drip, old gold perk, modern Keurig, plus a toaster and Belgian waffle maker are within easy reach for a cozy breakfast.
▪︎Prefer not to cook? Convenience gas station five blocks away has prepared foods or heat and eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
▪︎Bar/cafe across the river with pub food. Steak house across the river.
▪︎Waverly has breakfast spots ten minutes away, plus fast food and local eateries.
●WiFi is at the mill!
●PRIVATE ENTRANCE overlooks the Shell Rock River, a tiny perennial garden and a sidewalk to the river's edge.
●PARKING. Off-street parking for vehicles, including recreational vehicles, is on-site just steps from the porch entry.
●LAWN ORNAMENTS
Remnants including massive turbines, partial millstones, and metal parts are in the mill's park-like setting.
●DECK (also referred to as balcony) Respect the second floor guests' privacy if
you walk up the mill's outside stairs to a deck 25 feet above the river. Gaze at an adjacent, three-arch bridge built in 1916 which is on the National Register of Historic Places, the upstream rubble dam, and mesmerizing sunsets. A pool below the dam is spawning territory for walleye in early spring, as well as a popular fishing spot year round so bring your fishing gear.
●CITY PARK Is adjacent to the mill property and overlooks the dam. The shelter can be rented with picnic tables, adjacent deck, modern restrooms and electric outlets.
●BOAT LAUNCH beyond the park above the dam allows small craft, kayaks and canoes to go upstream.
●PATIO. Listen to nature calling as you relax on the private patio overlooking the river, flanked by a rustic bridge railing and millstones. A gas grill, tools, picnic plasticware, even the picnic basket are provided for your convenience. You may glimpse blue herons, Baltimore orioles, cardinals and migratory species like the colorful cedar waxwing. During winter chickadees, nut hatches, woodpeckers and an occasional hawk land in nearby trees. Eagles sometimes soar over in summer or perch on ice above the dam as they enjoy their morning meal in winter. At night you may catch a glimpse of a deer, raccoons, beaver or otter in the yard.
● OWNERS' favorite day involves launching kayaks at Heery Woods Park near Clarksville, Iowa (hometown of 2018 American Idol winner Maddie Poppe) about 8 miles away. Then floating down the Shell Rock River, picnicking and skipping rocks along the way. Kayaks are taken out above the dam at the park next to the mill. At the mill, we mount our bicycles, ride the Rolling Prairie Trail back to Heery Woods where we retrieve the transport vehicle. What a wonderful way to combine relaxing with nature and exercise!
●CANOE AND KAYAK RENTALS are available 6.5 miles away in Waverly, IA.
●BICYCLES. Bring yours! More than 100 miles of hard-surfaced trails in the Cedar Valley are within 25 miles of the mill at Cedar Falls and Waterloo, IA. Check out Waverly's Rail Trail to Denver or Readlyn, Iowa, or the Rolling Prairie Trail which is less than one mile from the mill's front door in Shell Rock.
●LANDMARK. Come and stay in the comfort of our small town's landmark where grain was milled in the late 1800s through 1978. The mill is located two miles from The Avenue of the Saints, a four-lane highway which connects St. Louis, Missouri, and St. Paul, Minnesota.
▪︎NO PETS.
▪︎NO SMOKING.
▪︎FOLLOW CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT INSTRUCTIONS, INCLUDING CONTACTING THE OWNER WHEN YOU ARRIVE AND WHEN YOU LEAVE.
THE MILL'S FIRST FLOOR on the street level is Vrbo property ID # 1056730 (Headline: 1867 Timber-framed Flour Mill's 1st Floor...) Under this ID you are renting the two-bedroom apartment.
•Private entrance.
•Two-night minimum stay. Three-night minimum for special rates OR during holiday, summer or seasonal events.
•Weekly rates available.
•Maximum six adults plus two small children if beds are shared OR children/teens sleep on air mattress and couch. No extra charge for children under 18.
■NOTE #2: The deck-level (aka balcony on second floor) is a studio apartment of The Pals' Old Mill. It is available separately under ID #1136016 (sleeps 6 if beds are shared).
RENT BOTH 1056730 and 1136016 for a gathering of friends or family! The inner stairway can be unlocked for direct access between the two levels.
AMENITIES
Central air & heat controlled within the space
Keurig single serve coffee maker
Drip or perk coffee pot
Belgian waffle maker
Grill (propane with electronic ignition)
Deck
Patio
Iron & board
Kitchen fully furnished
Dishes & utensils
Bed, Bath & Kitchen Linens & Towels provided (Bring your own beach towels)
Off-street parking
Washer & dryer
Hairdryer
Board games and cards.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS & SERVICES - MOST WITHIN ONE MILE
ATM
Bank
Bar & Grill
Beauty salons
Bicycle Trails
Campground
Canoe & kayak rental (6.5 miles)
Churches
Convenience store with food including breakfast sandwiches, pizza & gas
Fishing
Golf within 10 minutes
Library
Medical Clinic (Hospital within 10 minutes)
Municipal swimming pool
University of Northern Iowa at Cedar Falls, Iowa, within 20 miles.
Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, within 10 minutes.
Casino, large waterpark, wrestling, art & science museums less than 30 miles in Cedar Falls and Waterloo, Iowa.
