The Rinkels

(Mar 27, cont.) Even though a sign in the window said “Come In, We’re Open,” the place had the feel of a ghost town. I figured someone was probably busy or else napping somewhere inside, but it seemed that outside, I was all alone. Before going up the steps to try the door, I went around to the side. I was crouched down, trying to get a photo of this millstone, even though it was still in the shade of the morning sun, when I looked up to see a young woman in a dark jacket and long skirt coming around the corner.

No, she didn’t object to my camera. She wondered if was just out riding around. I explained that I had ridden here on purpose to see what was at Greenfield Mills, but that I hadn’t expected to find this mill building.

I asked if the Amishland and Lakes bicycle tour ever comes this way. I’ve never gone on that tour, but have known people who do it every year. The rides start in Howe, near where I had started this morning. I know of excellent ride loops one can take in LaGrange County, but this place seemed like it could be yet another worthy destination for the A&L. But no, it seems that it was not common for visitors to Greenfield Mills to arrive by bicycle.

That’s unfortunate, because the riding here is excellent, just as it is in many other parts of the county.

The young woman was soon joined by her mother. They explained that yes, this is an actual mill where flour is made, and that it had been in the same family since 1904. “There are only four of us.” All the same family? Yes. What’s the family name, I asked? They pointed out the words on the building that said, “NEW RINKEL FLOUR.”

They had recently opened a store on site. And you have a web site, I asked? Yes, they did. (Here it is: www.newrinkelflour.com .)

Before going inside, I took their photos. Amanda is on the left, standing next to her mother, Mary.

The idea of an old water-powered mill, still in operation, was sinking in. I remarked that there weren’t many like that. I knew of the one on Raccoon Creek, at Bridgeton, which I’ve already visited and written about. (“Bridgeton Mill“) The Rinkels knew of that one, too, and had also visited there. And they told me of a third in Indiana, whose name I’ve forgotten but which I’ll need to look up for another possible bike ride.

While we were talking, a family from elsewhere in Indiana came in to the store, interested in taking a tour. I asked to join it. The tour guide is Dave, Mary’s husband. The price of the tour was only $5/person, and for that we were treated to information about the history of the mill and the community of Greenfield Mills, Dave’s own recollections of how things were done when he was young, and an explanation of the various operations. We were able to see these operations right up close to the machinery on all three floors. I’ll post some of the photos I took, but can only hint at the rich store of sights, sounds, and information you’ll get if you go there yourself and have Dave show you around. Highly recommended.

By the time we were finished, it was well past noon and the old millstone on the west side of the building was no longer in the shade. I finally got my photo of it.

YTD mileage: 314

(10 April – Corrected the spelling of the Rinkel name)