New Artwork: Historic Mill Series

Painted Bluff Pool

In November, 2019, with the intention of spending the day plein air painting, I revisited four of five historic mills in Ozark County Missouri within an hour of where I live. Over a hundred years ago, in the midst of relative wilderness, grist mills fed by crystal-clear waters were community centers and sites of rural commerce. Through restoration and innovation, some still are. 

Rockbridge Mill

Before I arrived at Rockbridge Mill, I was attracted to first paint water from Rockbridge Spring pooling beneath an overhanging painted bluff along Spring Creek. The aquamarine pool also attracts trout fishermen. 

The mill building was painted later in the studio. Though milling ceased by 1950, Rockbridge Mill is still the heart of a thriving community, the site of a resort, restaurant, and trout hatchery. The dam across Spring Creek survives.

I stopped and took a few reference photos for a studio painting at Zanoni Mill, once reknowned for its overshot mill wheel. The mill is visible from the highway but no longer open to tourists. Formerly renovated as a bed & breakfast, it is now an event venue. 

Zanoni Mill

Next stop was to set up and paint the verdant spring that once powered Hodgson Mill, now a popular spot for tourists, picnics, and photographers. The mill still houses the old milling machinery but Hodgson Mill products are ground in a modern facility nearby.

Hodgson Water Mill

And finally since I was losing light, I photographed Dawt Mill, the last operating mill in Ozark County Missouri. It was once powered by the North Fork of the White River which still runs crystal clear and remains a favorite of fishermen and canoeists. Currently offered onsite is a canoe livery, restaurant, lodging, and outdoor entertainment. I returned a week later to paint Dawt Mill en plein air.

Dawt Mill

With one mill remaining on the five-mill tour, I referred to photos for painting Hammond Mill in the studio. A rear view of the mill is depicted here with a washed out creekbed, a reminder of its vulnerability to flooding, and a historic sidewalk clock as a reminder of Hammond Mill's former vibrant commerce.The mill was recently restored as a private residence.

Hammond Mill

The mills are impressive and their surroundings a never-ending source of inspiration for hours of plein air painting beside beautiful, clear-running creeks and rivers of the Ozarks. 

These paintings are offered for sale at my online gallery www.kathealtazan.com in the folder entitled  Mill Series 

For photos and further appreciation of these historic mills:

The Mills of Ozark County by Phyllis Rossiter for “The Ozarks Mountaineer”

Historic Grist Mills at Ozark County Missouri Chamber of Commerce

“Daytrippin” photoblog by Brenda Nelson

Rockbridge’s Rainbow Trout and Game Ranch visitor and Google maps local guide Heather Werhmann

Hammond Mill Remembered by Ed Fillmer of KY3’s “Ozark Life Online”

Info and additional photo reference:

The Mills of Ozark County by Phyllis Rossiter for “The Ozarks Mountaineer”

Historic Grist Mills at Ozark County Missouri Chamber of Commerce

“Daytrippin” photoblog by Brenda Nelson

Rockbridge’s Rainbow Trout and Game Ranch visitor and Google maps local guide Heather Werhmann

Hammond Mill Remembered by Ed Fillmer of KY3’s “Ozark Life Online”