There has been much conjecture about the origin of the mill. Some
researchers speculate that it already existed on the property when
Manuel Yturri Castillo acquired the land in 1824. However, Yturri
Castillo did not mention the building in his will of 1842 and
attempts to document the dates of operation have proved
unsuccessful. An adobe brick wall and stone steps are all that
remain of the original mill; the rest has been reconstructed.
Long range restoration of the mill began in June, 1964 under the
direction of Ernst Schuchard, well-known engineer and former
executive of Pioneer Flour Mills, and architect Marvin Eickenroht,
A.I.A. The reconstruction was completed in May, 1972 with the
cooperation and supervision of Alfred Beckmann and E.W. Dotson of
Pioneer Flour Mills; Ambrose A. Kozielski, millwright; and Robert
Borrego, Jr., millstone craftsman. |
