Historic mill reopens in Oak Brook

Graue Mill fans - and lovers of its cornmeal - have a reason to celebrate.

The historic mill in Oak Brook reopened to the public Tuesday after being closed for nearly 11 months for structural repairs.

"It's been a long time coming," said Kevin Horsfall, planning manager for the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, which owns the mill. "People are excited to get back in there."

Horsfall said the 164-year-old mill along York Road in Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve had been closed since last September.

Repairs were needed after an April 2013 flood left 5 feet of water in the basement. The flooding added to problems with the grist mill's grinding and gear works, as well as the basement subfloor and millrace foundation.

Repairs are being done in two phases. The first, which started in April and was just completed, aims to make the building more resistant to flooding.

As part of the first phase, the forest preserve district spent about $584,000 on improvements, including damp-proofing the foundation walls, replacing part of the basement floor, replacing old wooden columns with steel ones, and installing concrete pedestals under the wooden gears. A stormwater sump pump also was installed.

Meanwhile, DuPage Graue Mill Corp. - the nonprofit group that operates the facility - spent nearly $25,000 to repair the grist mill and jib crane assemblies.

Because of that work, the components soon will be used to grind cornmeal. A portable grinder is being used now.

Horsfall said it may be years before the district can tackle the second phase of repairs to get the gear system back in operation.

"We've been applying for grants," Horsfall said. "We've been unsuccessful."

Graue Mill was a stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War and was added in 1975 to the National Register of Historic Places. Through the years, it became a popular stop for shoppers seeking the cornmeal that long has been made at the site.