♪♪ [Kohlsdorf] Voyagers on the River Bluff Scenic Byway can discover and abundance of living history on the banks of the Turkey River.

♪♪ [Kohlsdorf] A few miles south of Elkader lives a showcase to Iowa's early industrial ambition.

A towering 90-foot monument to the ingenuity and aspirations of early settlers, the Motor Mill stands as a beacon for Clayton County history.

♪♪ [Kohlsdorf] Opened for operation in 1870, this six-story motor mill was a flour mill processor for local wheat farmers.

The mill's owner envisioned grand plans for the area.

A town was plotted and a school was built.

But those grand plans for the mill and the town of Motor were washed away by floodwaters in 1883.

♪♪ County Conservation Board acquired the property of Motor Mill.

In 2014, the mill and surrounding property were listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Motor Mill Historic Site.

♪♪ [Kohlsdorf] Today, the 155-acre site hosts hiking trails, camping spots and a canoe launch.

Inside, the renovated Motor Mill Inn is available for rent to travelers looking for a peaceful evening in the Turkey River Valley.

♪♪ [Kohlsdorf] The mill is home to numerous community and historical presentations.

Public tours are held on a regular schedule during summer and fall.

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