Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — This unassuming wood building seen March 10 along Hopewell Road near the Moniteau Creek in southern Cooper County was once the core of a community. This grist mill, eventually known as Dick's Mill, was constructed in 1868 to mill wheat and corn into flour, cornmeal, and livestock feed. A general store, blacksmith shop and school sprouted around the mill, supported by people waiting around for their wheat and corn to be processed. In 1906, a post office was established — officially naming the small shortly-lived community Cotton. The mill closed during World War II and fell into disrepair until 1976, when two California men — Jim Martin and Paul Bloch — stepped in and saved it from ruin. Now, the Missouri River Valley Steam Engine Association is taking on the project of moving the mill to its Brady Showgrounds near Overton, where it will be restored to operation.
In 1868, a sawmill and grist mill was established along the Moniteau Creek in southern Cooper County.
Today, the mill that once produced flour and cornmeal for the area, is being prepared for a move from northeast of Tipton to the Missouri River Valley Steam Engine Association's Brady Showgrounds near Overton....
