Gray–Watkins Mill
Encyclopedia
The Gray–Watkins Mill or Gray's Mill is a historic structure in Montgomery
, Illinois
. The building was an early turbine mill on the Fox River
, and was later used as an automobile parts manufacturer. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1979.
, Illinois
. Built in 1853, its original purpose was as a water-powered turbine flour mill on the Fox River
. It operated until 1916, when ice in the river destroyed the dam. Electricity allowed the mill a replacement power source until it shut down in 1922. For the next several decades, the mill stood empty. In 1945, Ernest Anfinsen purchased the building to manufacture automotive parts. The building was again abandoned following Anfinsen's death in 1971. It was acknowledged as a historic site by Montgomery and nearby Aurora
and was renovated in 1976. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on December 17, 1979.
roof was later constructed on top of this dock. Additional doors are found on the north side (added in the 1950s) and the east side (where the mill race
used to be, now covered in concrete). There is a total of 43 windows, most of them 6 by 4 ft (1.8 by 1.2 ). A storage until beneath a dormer
houses supplies and machinery for the elevator, which is no longer in use.
Inside, the main staircase is on the west side of the building, altered to comply with modern building codes. A wroght iron bannister was also added from a demolishing project from Chicago. The interior walls were originally stone, but were covered with cement and plaster some time during its manufacturing years. During the 1976 restoration, insulation, drywall, and furring
was added. The main level features a cherrywood floor. New light fixtures were added in the 1976 renovation.
Montgomery, Illinois
Montgomery is a village in Kane and Kendall County, Illinois. The population was 5,471 at the 2000 census, and was 14,407 in a 2006 special census...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. The building was an early turbine mill on the Fox River
Fox River (Illinois River tributary)
The Fox River is a tributary of the Illinois River in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois in the United States. There are two other "Fox Rivers" in southern Illinois: the Fox River and a smaller "Fox River" that joins the Wabash River near New Harmony, Indiana.-Wisconsin:The Fox River rises near...
, and was later used as an automobile parts manufacturer. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1979.
History
The Gray–Watkins Mill is located on the southeast corner of River and Mill Streets in MontgomeryMontgomery, Illinois
Montgomery is a village in Kane and Kendall County, Illinois. The population was 5,471 at the 2000 census, and was 14,407 in a 2006 special census...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. Built in 1853, its original purpose was as a water-powered turbine flour mill on the Fox River
Fox River (Illinois River tributary)
The Fox River is a tributary of the Illinois River in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois in the United States. There are two other "Fox Rivers" in southern Illinois: the Fox River and a smaller "Fox River" that joins the Wabash River near New Harmony, Indiana.-Wisconsin:The Fox River rises near...
. It operated until 1916, when ice in the river destroyed the dam. Electricity allowed the mill a replacement power source until it shut down in 1922. For the next several decades, the mill stood empty. In 1945, Ernest Anfinsen purchased the building to manufacture automotive parts. The building was again abandoned following Anfinsen's death in 1971. It was acknowledged as a historic site by Montgomery and nearby Aurora
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
and was renovated in 1976. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on December 17, 1979.
Architecture
The mill is rectangular in shape, with an asphalt shingle gable roof. It stands four stories stall (plus a loft) and is supported with 15 columns per floor. The main entrance is on the west side, which also features a concrete dock. An oak board porch with a wood shakeShake (shingle)
A shake is a basic wooden shingle that is made from split logs. Shakes have traditionally been used for roofing and siding applications around the world. Higher grade shakes are typically used for roofing purposes, while the lower grades are used for siding purposes...
roof was later constructed on top of this dock. Additional doors are found on the north side (added in the 1950s) and the east side (where the mill race
Mill race
A mill race, raceway or mill lade is the current or channel of a stream, especially one for conducting water to or from a water wheel or other device for utilizing its energy...
used to be, now covered in concrete). There is a total of 43 windows, most of them 6 by 4 ft (1.8 by 1.2 ). A storage until beneath a dormer
Dormer
A dormer is a structural element of a building that protrudes from the plane of a sloping roof surface. Dormers are used, either in original construction or as later additions, to create usable space in the roof of a building by adding headroom and usually also by enabling addition of windows.Often...
houses supplies and machinery for the elevator, which is no longer in use.
Inside, the main staircase is on the west side of the building, altered to comply with modern building codes. A wroght iron bannister was also added from a demolishing project from Chicago. The interior walls were originally stone, but were covered with cement and plaster some time during its manufacturing years. During the 1976 restoration, insulation, drywall, and furring
Furring
In light-frame construction, furring strips are long thin strips of wood or metal used to make backing surfaces to support the finished surfaces in a room. Furring refers to the backing surface, the process of installing it, and may also refer to the strips themselves. "Firring" is a U.K...
was added. The main level features a cherrywood floor. New light fixtures were added in the 1976 renovation.