The Arvada Flour Mill, a relic of Colorado’s agricultural heyday, stands today as a living museum and a testament to the region’s history. For nearly a century, this unassuming white building in Olde Town Arvada has preserved the story of a community built on wheat and grit.
In recognition of its importance, the mill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. From its early days powering a farming town to its transformation into a museum, the Arvada Flour Mill offers visitors a unique journey into the past and a deeper appreciation of local heritage.
Historical Significance of the Flour Mill in Arvada
The Early Days of Milling in Arvada
Built in the mid-1920s by local entrepreneur Eugene Emory Benjamin, the Arvada Flour Mill quickly became a cornerstone of the young Arvada community.
In its heyday, the mill processed locally grown wheat into a popular product branded as “Arva-Pride” flour, which was a pantry staple for area families. This thriving mill helped establish Arvada’s identity as an agricultural hub and supported the region’s economy through the first half of the 20th century.
A Symbol of Community and Growth
Even after its doors closed around the mid-1900s, the mill’s legacy lived on – prompting efforts to preserve it as a “permanent reminder of the city’s agricultural roots.” Its addition to the National Register of Historic Places underscored that legacy, formally recognizing the mill’s importance to Colorado history and ensuring protective measures for its preservation.
Architectural Highlights of the Flour Mill
Unique Features and Design
The Arvada Flour Mill’s architecture is a rare and well-preserved example of an early 20th-century industrial mill. The building is a three-story, 30-foot-tall wooden structure designed with a classic gambrel (barn-style) roof – a practical choice that maximizes attic storage space.
Corrugated metal siding and roofing, added during its construction, have helped this wooden mill endure decades of Colorado weather, protecting it from rain, wind, and fire.
Preserved Milling Equipment
Inside, much of the original milling machinery remains in place, illustrating the ingenious design by which wheat was once fed from one level to the next and gradually ground into flour. These authentic belts, chutes, and grindstones give the mill an authentic atmosphere, as if frozen in time.
From the exterior, you can still see bold historic lettering (“Flour”, “Feed”, “Poultry Feed”) painted on the siding, harkening back to the mill’s dual role in processing grain and providing farm supplies.
Visiting the Arvada Flour Mill
Guided Tours and Educational Programs
A visit to the Arvada Flour Mill is a chance to immerse yourself in local history. Operated by the Arvada Historical Society as a museum, the mill offers guided tours that cater to both history buffs and casual visitors.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Guided Tours by Knowledgeable Volunteers: Tours are available by appointment (call ahead to schedule) and during special open-house events.
- Live Demonstrations of Milling Process: Guides show how wheat was milled into flour using the original equipment.
- Glimpse into Early 20th-Century Life: Walk through the mill’s wooden floors and hear stories of Arvada’s agricultural heritage.
- Special Events and Educational Programs: Seasonal celebrations and school field trips make the mill a lively community gathering place.
- A Keepsake of History: Each visitor (over 12 years old) receives a complimentary copy of “The Old Mill” – a booklet detailing the mill’s story.
A Hands-On Historical Adventure
Visiting the Arvada Flour Mill is a hands-on historical adventure. You can touch the massive millstones, examine the old engines and pulleys, and even smell the lingering hint of flour in the air.
By the end of the tour, you won’t just have learned facts – you’ll have experienced a slice of Colorado’s past in a very tangible way.
Restoration and Preservation Efforts
A Community-Led Preservation Initiative
Preserving the Arvada Flour Mill for future generations has been a community effort spanning decades. After the mill ceased operations around the 1940s–1950s, local preservationists led by Lois Lindstrom rallied to save this landmark. Thanks to their dedication, the mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, a crucial step that protected the building.
Decades of Restoration Work
The Arvada Historical Society took ownership in 1977 and immediately set to work on an ambitious restoration. Volunteers organized a three-year clean-up and renovation project to stabilize the structure and refurbish the old equipment. By 1980, their hard work paid off as the mill was reborn as a public museum, opening its doors to visitors for the first time in decades.
In the years since, preservation efforts have continued to keep the mill in prime condition. A significant restoration in 2011 repaired and updated parts of the building to prevent deterioration. Renewed energy and hope arrived in 2022 when a Mill Advisory Committee was formed to create a master plan for the site’s future.
This plan includes building maintenance, improved visitor access, and educational programming. One especially charming idea has been to plant winter wheat on the mill’s grounds, reconnecting the site to its agricultural origins.
The Importance of Visiting the Arvada Flour Mill
The Arvada Flour Mill is a treasure trove of local history and pride. Each section of this historic mill – from its sturdy wooden beams to its iron grinding machines – tells a story of the people who built a community through agriculture and hard work.
Visiting the mill today allows you to step directly into that story. It offers an authentic experience that textbooks or displays behind glass simply can’t match. In an era when many historic structures have been lost to time, the Arvada Flour Mill stands as a triumph of community effort and love for heritage.
