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
With the recent moves towards "greener" energy in the last decade, one might think wind power is a relatively new concept for Minnesota. You'd be amazed though (as I was) to learn that a windmill constructed from 1862 to 1864 still stands in Minnesota! This hidden gem of Minnesota history is actually part of Minneopa State Park located 5 miles west of Mankato. We had no idea it was there until we visited the park in May of 2009 and ended up spending quite a bit of time there reading and learning why it is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The mill is a Gristmill which at one time ground grain into flour by way of four gigantic wooden arm and sails- that measured about 70 feet in diameter. It was built by Louis Seppman, a German immigrant who modeled the mill after those in his native country. Though successful at first, the windmill seemed destined for ruin as it was damaged again and again by weather. 
In 1873 two of it's wooden arms were struck by lightning and needed to be replaced. In 1880 two more arms were carried away in a tornado. The mill limped along for 10 more years using only 2 arms until yet another storm in 1890 broke those off as well. There were very good historical markers on the site which told this whole story and more. According to the markers, extensive structural damage, together with competition from water and steam powered mills and the invention of the "roller process" made this windmill unprofitable to operate. I never produced flour again and closed in 1890. 
It was quite amazing to see this massive stone structure still standing nearly 120 years later. Also on the grounds, down the hillside was a Granary building that was almost completely rebuilt during renovation in the 1970's. If you have the chance to visit, Minneopa State Park is one of the best State Parks I've been to, and the Seppman Mill is icing on the cake. Here is a good article I ran across regarding this long abandoned stone windmill http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/sepoct08/ghost_towns.html
