Dillard Mill State Historic Site, Crawford County.

Description. One of several restored, and operating water-powered gristmills. Others, which are either state or federally-owned, are Alley, Bollinger, and Montauk. Dillard Mill is notable in that it was the longest-running, remaining in business until 1956. Remarkably, Dillard Mill still has all of its original equipment in place and operational. At Dillard, visitors today can hear the sounds of the turbine as the water is diverted from the mill pond, just as millers did for more than half-a-century. A person walking from the parking lot, slowly discovers the red mill building in the distance, perched atop a rock wall, with the blue water below. This scene is arguably the most appealing of any in Missouri.

This is a day-use park. In addition to the old mill building, the Dillard Cemetery, a 1.5-mile-long trail, picnic tables, a shelter, and the several buildings which are part of the original property and are now used as the park office, site adminstrator's residence, and a small building used for displays.

Recognition. Since 1977 this site has been leased to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Directions to the Site. Highway 32 east from Salem to Highway 49, then north to the Dillard Mill Road. After the road turns to gravel, the site about another mile farther down the road.