What clients say about Schech's Mill in Caledonia (MN)
This was so much fun! I learned so much, mostly that when it comes to milling my own flours, I don't know much. But I can buy milled flour here while I learn. On top of the history, the place is breathtakingly beautiful. The tour was incredible.
Great to experience the living history of this still functioning 1876 flour mill. The owner is very knowledgeable and explained everything in great detail. I even purchased some freshly milled flour to take home.
Wish I could leave 10 stars! This place is soooooo amazing and the history of it all you can feel it as soon as you pull in the driveway and see the buildings! Ed is great to talk with and has full history and knowledge of the mill and the whole site!!!!! I highly recommend this site as a tourist attraction!! The surrounding scenery is stunning beautiful also!!
A very rustic, very awesome place! We learned a lot about milling grain.
You can ask when the owner is "in" at the nearby state park visitor center (they seem to know) - at the time we visited (October 2022) he's only there Friday after 1:00, and Saturdays and (maybe?) Sundays.
Cool to see 1800's technology still working. The stone building keeps it cool in October. Bring a jacket. Bring cash (no credit cards). I think it was $5 per adult and $2 or $3 per kid.
We arrived just before dark on a Saturday in late August, thinking we might get a few pics before dark. Ed surprised us with the offer of a tour, which we happily took. He spent more than an hour with us and lit us on our way with a flashlight. We learned a lot.
My wife and I visited early on a Sunday morning in July. As we pulled up, we weren't exactly sure where to park, but there was Ed standing near the barn looking at us, so we pulled over in that direction. We didn't even know who he was! Turns out Ed is the great-great grandson of the person who bought the mill from the guy who built it in the 1870's. And the mill is a one-person operation! We spent 2 hours with Ed and I could have spent the rest of the day there, listening to his tales and history of the place. What will amaze you is the ingenuity of the person who built the mill, of the people who improved it over the years, and Ed's incredible knowledge and skill at everything that he does. Be sure to ask Ed 'Hey, who will take over the mill when you retire?', because he has a standard response (I guess he gets asked this all of the time). The mill, the tour, and Ed are truly a treasure to experience, and it absolutely made the trip for my wife and I. Be sure not to miss this!
Amazing place to see history! Owner is very knowledgeable and super friendly! The samples were great made corn bread & wheat bread! The paper flour sack bag is original to the time period I framed in barnwood frame, gorgeous piece of MN history history!
A completely beautiful place that has a wonderful and dedicated owner. His mission to ensure his father Ivan's legacy of the 2nd oldest water powered mill continues to run.
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