Ally Mill

Alley Mill

Ally Mill is an impressive Grist Mill in Souther Missouri. The mill, built in 1894, is said to be one of the most photographed in the world. Alley Spring which used to power the mill is one of largest fresh water springs in the state and remains 57 degrees year round. The deep dark blue hue of the water can be attributed to the mineral content from dissolved dolomite bedstone.

This historic grist mill is located in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways near Eminence, Shannon County, Missouri.

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Hodgson Water Mill

Know as the most photographed Mill in Missouri, Hodgson Mill is nicely preserved. The Mill is located 17 miles northeast of Gainesville on Hwy. 181 in the Sycamore area.

The first mill on the site on Bryant Creek was built by William Holeman in 1861. Alva Hodgson bought the mill in 1884. The original burned and Hodgson built a new one in 1894 and, in 1898, his brother George Hodgson became operator and part owner of the mill. After a grocery store that stood near the mill burned in the “50’s”, Charles T. Aid purchased the mill and it became know as the Aid-Hodgson Mill, remaining in production until 1977.
The mill was built over a spring that is reported to produce 28,900,000 gallons of water a day. This water stays a constant 58 degrees year round.
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Exploring Grist Mills in Missouri

For the next few photos, I am going to focus on old grist mills in Missouri. However, this is sort of a faux grist mill since it was recently built and never served as a mill. This is the entry way to Big Cedar Lodge’s Dogwood Canyon a stunning valley with beautiful waterfalls on both sides. The mill serves as a restaurant and gift shop.
Here is the other side of the mill:

Indian Cliff Falls

A bonus photo of the waterfall behind the mill:

The park offers miles of hiking along a river that goes back into the canyon.

Dogwood Canyon is in the Southwest section of Missouri at: 2038 State Hwy 86, Lampe, MO 65681

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St. Louis Art Hill: A Fall Marvel

A favorite fall scene. This is an area known as Art Hill in St. Louis’s Forest park. In the background is the Art Museum looking over Art Hill which is lined by these trees. Like clockwork, every fall these trees turn a bright red. In the distance is the statue of St. Louis on his horse.

The St. Louis Art Museum’s Main Building was created for the 1904 World’s Fair. Then called the Palace of Fine Arts, the building was situated next to a massive temporary structure called Festival Hall. Like much of what was built for the fair, the tall, domed building of Festival Hall was never meant to be permanent. It was made from wood and staff—a mixture of plaster, cement, glycerin, and dextrin that gave the appearance of stone. This approach to construction had two benefits: an extremely ornate exterior and easy demolition. 

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Fall in Indiana

One of my favorite places to visit is New Harmony Indiana. It is not far from St. Louis so it is a fun place to visit the town and have lunch at the Red Geranium Restaurant.

Settled in 1814, New Harmony was first a spiritual sanctuary for the Harmonie Society and then a haven for international scientists and scholars led by Robert Owen in 1825.

A small town with a big history, New Harmony offers visitors and residents a remarkable range of experiences: art galleries, museum exhibitions, professional summer theatre, guided tours of historic properties, a winter concert series, festivals, unique shopping and dining in a beautiful, walkable community, plus Harmonie State Park is located just south of town.

Visiting one fall, I was impressed by the stunning colors and beautiful homes.

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Fall in St. Charles County

Blessing of the Hounds, Strathalbyn

While out hunting with the Basset Hounds, this is an area we would pass through in the fall. This area borders St. Louis County along the Missouri. The hounds would chase rabbits, very rarely catching anything but was a good excuse to get out on Sunday afternoons and explore Missouri’s back roads.

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Gates

Missouri Botanical Garden - Fall

This is an interesting view at the Missouri Botanical Garden. These gates are directly in front of Henry Shaw’s home (behind me in this view) allowing a direct view through another set of gates to the Linnean House, quite a distance away. To the right of one of the posts is the Henry Shaw Mausoleum. The Missouri Botanical Garden is an interesting place to explore as it changes throughout the seasons and has a number of districts or themed areas to explore. If you are not a regular visitor, I highly recommend it!

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Fall in the Japanese Garden

Fall is setting on Missouri Botanical Garden’s Japanese Garden. This is  14-acrespace, one of the largest in North America, represents an evolution of centuries of tradition and a multiplicity of distinctly Japanese cultural influences.

Incorporating carefully designed plantings, waterfalls, beaches and islands, the Japanese Garden invites visitors to experience the thrill of personal interpretation and discovery in a serene landscape that’s uniquely beautiful in every season.

One of my favorite areas to walk.

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Groundskeeper’s House

Exploring the Missouri Botanical Garden, this is one of my favorite buildings.

In 1895, the Cleveland Avenue Gatehouse, now named the Herring House, was constructed in accordance with Henry Shaw’s will to be a residence for the Garden’s groundskeeper. The surrounding new landscape design was inspired by influential British horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll. The rear garden will be known as “Lauren’s Secret Garden” where the peak bloom season will occur in the summer.

During the Christmas season, large groups of people walk by without paying attention. If you take a closer look, you will see a complely decorated Christmas Tree, complete with toys ready to be found and snaks waiting for Santa.

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Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal

Door County

Here is a view of the Sturgeon Bay ship canal from the Front Pierhead Light. Next to the canal is the Sturgeon Bay Rear Canal Light. Both lights lead the way into the canal. The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal is a ship canal connecting Sturgeon Bay with Lake Michigan across the Door Peninsula in Door County, Wisconsin. A dredged channel continues through Sturgeon Bay to Green Bay.

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