A Scenic Drive to Two Mills

Driving about 45 minutes south of St. Louis you can check out two remains of low-water dams and mills in Cedar Hill and Morse Mill. Just in time for Halloween, Morse Mill also has a spooky past.

CEDAR HILL PARK

I stopped at the seven-acre Cedar Hill Park and explored the grounds walking down to the Big River.

Here I walked along the shoreline with views of fast-moving water flowing through a breached dam.

You can fish and picnic here along with launching a canoe or tube for a 9.8-mile float to Rockford Beach.

Across the river is the former mill (main blog photo) and a little further down is a sand bar with views of the river.

History of the Mill

Thomas Maddox built a feed and water grist mill at this location in 1848. Then the Radeacker family constructed the current mill.

A former dam funneled water into the mill.

I drove by the mill and noticed that the structure is currently for sale.

Beware

There are warnings here about the dangers of swimming since there are strong currents and there is no lifeguard on duty.

Bar across the river — *An old bar and grille across the river*

DETAILS

Pets are not allowed

Drive: Take Exit 3 for Missouri State Highway 3 and go south. Make a left onto Highway BB and then a right onto Cedar Hill Road crossing Big River. On the right is Cedar Hill Park.

Hours: Dawn to dusk

Fee: During peak hours during summer there is a parking fee. I was there on a weekday and no one was around.

Address: Cedar Hill Rd, Cedar Hill, MO 63016

MORSE MILL

Here you can wander a larger area.

You can cross an 1886 wooden bridge with a metal truss with views of the Big River. It is open to pedestrians.

The former mill across the river only has a stone foundation along with a breached dam and water shoots fast through it.

I spent some time here walking in different directions along trails along the river.

Walking along the old dam. — *Walking along the old dam*

Then I went across the breached dam and closer to where the water shoots out.

In the future, I hope to return to walk the bridge and explore the river with my son.

Morse Mill boat ramp — *Morse Mill Park boat ramp*

This is also a great location to launch your canoe or inner tube for a fun-filled 10.9-mile float to Cedar Hill Park.

Spooky Historical Note

In town, there is the Morse Mill Hotel supposedly haunted and built by John Morse. The hotel was used for prisoners of war, a brothel, a speakeasy, and the Underground Railroad. Famous guest includes Charles Lindbergh, Charlie Chaplin, and Al Capone.

Also, the town was home to Bertha Gifford. She would show up at homes when people were sick. Then many people began to die after she showed up and people became suspicious. She was eventually arrested for murder but was found not guilty due to an insanity plea. In 1952 she died in a mental institution.

Morse Mill dangers of swimming — *Morse Mill Park dangers of swimming.*

Beware

There are also warnings here about the dangers of swimming since there are strong currents and there is no lifeguard on duty.

DETAILS

Pets are not allowed.

Drive: Take Exit 3 for Missouri State Highway 3 and go south. Make a left onto Missouri Highway B. After crossing the Big River make a right onto Missouri Highway C. Look for a long gravel road on the right and follow it to parking. There are numerous potholes along this road.

Hours: Dawn to dusk, with limited tent camping available.

Fee: During peak hours during summer a parking fee there is a fee. I was there on weekdays and no one was around.

Address: 6700 Park Rd, Hillsboro, MO 63050