New Century Mill

Read about the history and designation of the New Century Mill historic landmark.

Overview

The New Century Mill was built in 1900 and was the first steam-powered flour mill in Minneapolis. 

  • Location: 545 Oak Street Southeast
  • Neighborhood: University of Minnesota
Circa 1915
New Century Mill circa 1915

Architecture

  • Architectural Style: Not applicable
  • Engineer: William Dixon Gray

Use

  • Historic use: Flour mill
  • Current use: Burned and demolished in 1990

Construction

  • Construction date: 1900
  • Contractor: Edward P. Allis Company

Significance

  • Area(s) of Significance: Commerce, Engineering, Industry
  • Period of significance: Undefined
  • Date of local designation: 1984
  • Designation: Exterior
  • Date of National Register designation: 1980; de-listed in 1993

Historic profile

The New Century Mill was built in 1900 and was the first steam-powered flour mill in Minneapolis. It was located at the intersection of two major railroads. This proximity helped offset the cost of using steam power, which was more expensive than waterpower. This was a significant milestone of the milling industry in Minneapolis. Before, the milling industry relied on St. Anthony Falls.

The mill was designed by William Dixon Gray. He was a lead engineer at the Edward P. Allis Company of Milwaukee. He was the most significant milling engineer of his era. Gray designed several other mills in Minneapolis, including the Standard Mill at 116-118 Portland Avenue South, which no longer stands. The New Century Mill was owned by George C. Christian. He was the son of George H. Christian, who owned and operated mills for the Washburn Company. Milling operations at the New Century Mill ceased in the early 1920s. It was later used for storage.

The building suffered a major fire in 1990 and it was demolished. The site is now owned by the University of Minnesota. One stretch of railroad by the site is now the Dinkytown Greenway.

Credits

Photo credits

Circa 1915 photo: Charles J. Hibbard, courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

Work cited

Robert M. Frame III, “National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: New Century Mill,” 1987

Contact us

Historic Preservation

Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED)

Phone

612-673-3000

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 320
Minneapolis, MN 55415