Magnolia Flouring Mills

Open Daily: Scheduled Group Tours Only

Explore how innovation, transportation, and community connections transformed the Magnolia Flouring Mills from a small town mill to a nationally recognized producer, capable of winning gold medals at two World’s Fairs! Built in 1834 by Richard Elson along the route of the Sandy & Beaver Canal, the Magnolia Flouring Mills remained in the Elson family for 171 years before being acquired by the Stark County Park District in 2005. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, the iconic five-story red mill preserves the history of the small town, agricultural communities of rural Stark County. The 4.97-acre property in downtown Magnolia also includes a segment of the Sandy & Beaver Canal behind the mill, the water rights for the canal, and Dam #6. The Magnolia Flouring Mills will also serve as a trailhead for the future Sandy & Beaver Canal Trail and the Pleasant Valley Trail.

In 2023, Stark Parks worked with architects to design an accessible pathway through the first floor of the Magnolia Mills as well as improved restrooms and parking. The proposed work will be reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office to ensure it is keeping with the history of the site and buildings as outlined on the National Registry of Historic Places.

This project has been 100% funded with state capital grants, which previously allowed for the rehabilitation of the mill itself including a new roof, electrical work and painting the front of the mill.