This mill -- a type developed by the American inventor, Oliver Evans -- represents a milestone in
the automation of American industry. The mill automatically grinds, sifts, and bags grain, carrying
it through a system of chutes and conveyors. As a result, the entire mill can be operated by just
one person. The gristmill played a vital role in the frontier community. Settlers brought their
hard-earned harvest of wheat and corn to the mill to be ground into flour and cornmeal to provide
enough food to get the family through the winter and to produce feed for farm animals.
A French-Canadian settler, Edward Loranger, built the Loranger Gristmill in 1832 near Monroe
Michigan and operated it until he was 91 years of age. The gristmill was originally powered by the
waters of Stoney Creek in southeastern Michigan. A 12 horsepower water wheel originally ran the
gristmill which could grind 100 bushels of corn or wheat a day.
During the 2002-2003 restoration, Loranger Gristmill was moved to a new location. Click here
to see pictures of the building in its previous location.
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This mill -- a type developed by the American inventor, Oliver Evans -- represents a milestone in
the automation of American industry. The mill automatically grinds, sifts, and bags grain, carrying
it through a system of chutes and conveyors. As a result, the entire mill can be operated by just
one person. The gristmill played a vital role in the frontier community. Settlers brought their
hard-earned harvest of wheat and corn to the mill to be ground into flour and cornmeal to provide
enough food to get the family through the winter and to produce feed for farm animals.
A French-Canadian settler, Edward Loranger, built the Loranger Gristmill in 1832 near Monroe
Michigan and operated it until he was 91 years of age. The gristmill was originally powered by the
waters of Stoney Creek in southeastern Michigan. A 12 horsepower water wheel originally ran the
gristmill which could grind 100 bushels of corn or wheat a day.