On a warm day in July 2009, we threw the kayaks in the back of the truck and drove up to the Crow River just northwest of Minneapolis. We had no idea the trouble we'd have in finding a place to put in. During our almost hour long search for easy river access, we came upon a neat little place called the Millside Tavern.
Directly behind it's parking lot, we noticed an even cooler abandoned mill of some kind. But our quest today was kayaking and only after a successfull paddle up and down the Crow did we decide to come back to this spot. After scarfing down burgers 'n beer at the tavern, we cautiously explored the seemingly private area as it was just too enticing to pass up.
The structure was intriguing with original red painted wood, corrugated metal additions and elevated structures supported by either wooden post or concrete barrel supports. Rusty remnants of original machinery poked out of the building here and there and many of the glass window panes had long been broken out.
Towards the very back side, two towering grain bins seemed still ready for business. The whole area was just overtaken by green trees and brush, giving you the feeling that the place was shut down like a switch decades ago and forgotten ever since. As we walked around the footings, peering upwards at the broken windows, we both thought we heard noises coming from within and wondered if squatters were living inside. Though we were only steps from a populated restaurant, we actually felt spooked by this beautifuly abandoned place.
After an extensive online search, I've come across two other references about Berning's Mill that are definitely worth a look. The first is a Picasa Web Album from Tundra Star Photography's photo gallery containing some of the most beautiful photos of early midwest farm and industry that I've ever seen.
http://picasaweb.google.com/tundrastarphotography/RoundBarnsMillsAndBridgesOfMinnesota# The second is a painting by artist Michele Pope Melina, depicting this local icon of St. Michael as it may have once appeared.
http://www.michelemelina.com/images/riversidememories.jpg
On a warm day in July 2009, we threw the kayaks in the back of the truck and drove up to the Crow River just northwest of Minneapolis. We had no idea the trouble we'd have in finding a place to put in. During our almost hour long search for easy river access, we came upon a neat little place called the Millside Tavern. 
Directly behind it's parking lot, we noticed an even cooler abandoned mill of some kind. But our quest today was kayaking and only after a successfull paddle up and down the Crow did we decide to come back to this spot. After scarfing down burgers 'n beer at the tavern, we cautiously explored the seemingly private area as it was just too enticing to pass up.
The structure was intriguing with original red painted wood, corrugated metal additions and elevated structures supported by either wooden post or concrete barrel supports. Rusty remnants of original machinery poked out of the building here and there and many of the glass window panes had long been broken out. 
Towards the very back side, two towering grain bins seemed still ready for business. The whole area was just overtaken by green trees and brush, giving you the feeling that the place was shut down like a switch decades ago and forgotten ever since. As we walked around the footings, peering upwards at the broken windows, we both thought we heard noises coming from within and wondered if squatters were living inside. Though we were only steps from a populated restaurant, we actually felt spooked by this beautifuly abandoned place. 
After an extensive online search, I've come across two other references about Berning's Mill that are definitely worth a look. The first is a Picasa Web Album from Tundra Star Photography's photo gallery containing some of the most beautiful photos of early midwest farm and industry that I've ever seen. http://picasaweb.google.com/tundrastarphotography/RoundBarnsMillsAndBridgesOfMinnesota# The second is a painting by artist Michele Pope Melina, depicting this local icon of St. Michael as it may have once appeared. http://www.michelemelina.com/images/riversidememories.jpg
I love your blog! I am also a photography nut that marvels in abandoned property of the past. Old barns especially make me shutter uncontrollably :O)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliments on my Picasa site. I have many more photos available on my Flickr account here if interested:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/98272674@N00/
This is awesome and I love your blog. I am wondering if you can check into a farm stead in Rogers, MN on broxton lane / 13. There is a farm there that looks broken down and abandoned. I have wanted to take pictures there for a year now but have not dared to do it.
ReplyDeletesimplyclassicphotography@hotmail.com
This mill was begun by my ancestors! Enjoyed seeing the current photos, I have
ReplyDeletean older picture in its "prettier" days. -d.berning/adams
Great shot... I enjoy your photos and blog... :)
ReplyDeleteI was going thru old stuff my uncles house and have some professional pictures of the Berning Mill when it was Purina. They are black and white it you are interested in seeing them. Please email me brunsj@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteI have old professional pictures of this mill if you are interested please email me:bruns1401@gmail.com. I found them in my uncles attic.
ReplyDeleteAnother Berning here! I stumbled upon this on Pinterest. I remember going there when I was a little girl with my dad to get feed. We also would stop at Berning's Travern to get Ice Cream from my dad's cousin. The 1st Berning settled in that area of St. Michael - they built the bridge, the dam, travern and mill.
ReplyDeleteWe used to fish right there at the tavern when I was little. My favorite ice cream was the one with little colorful peppermint candies :)
DeleteCool post. I justbought a vintage painting of the mill from 1964. Looks like I need to load up my kayak and check it out this spring!
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