THE STONE MILL

The water-powered Stone Mill was powered by a water raceway, used to turn the grinding wheel. The mill ran constantly and the business built up a flour trade which was known nationwide. It was the first flour mill in Michigan to convert to a complete roller process. One reference stated, "It has a fall of 14 feet and uses an over-shot wheel, and has six run of stone. Its full capacity is 300 barrels per day." In 1881, a new brick elevator was erected just to the north, presently the site of the Bohm Theatre. The entire complex became known as the Albion Milling Company operated by C. R. Knickerbocker, and later the W. H. Nelson, Grain, Flour & Feed. It discontinued business in the early 1910s.

In 1915 the property was purchased by the Albion Holding Company, and the Stone Mill was purchased by the Commercial & Savings Bank. In 1916 the bank removed the top floor, and reconstructed the rest of the building into its new headquarters. The bank opened on January 1, 1917. Offices for dentists, doctors, and bank officials were added on the second floor of the building. The bank was merged with the Jackson City Bank and Trust Company on March 1, 1955 and continued to operate for many years.

A series of mergers in the 2010s resulted in several names for the bank. It closed for good as a bank (Huntington Bank) at the close of the business day on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. The structure was subsequently purchased by Albion College and the main floor was remodeled for contemporary business use. Policy changes by the College resulted in their abandoning their plans for the site, and the structure was recently sold to Ace Real Estate which is now offering leasing options. Who knows what this building will become?

From our Historical Notebook this week we present a 1915 photo which includes the 3-story Stone Mill on the right. How many of our readers remember City Bank and Trust Company at this location? On the left is the Albion Elevator building. If you're wondering what that elevator building is doing on Superior Street, this is its original location. The Elevator was moved back (east) across the alley in 1917 where many of our readers remember its location there. The Albion Elevator operated for many years before being closed on July 31, 2002.

	Frank Passic — Albion Historian An Albion native and 1971 graduate of Albion High School, Frank Passic has been researching and writing Albion history since 1976. He is the creator of the Albion Historical Notebook, with hundreds of articles appearing weekly in the Morning Star and The Recorder. Frank maintains an extensive personal archive including Riverside Cemetery records, family surname files, genealogies, photographs, city directories, and high school yearbooks. Support his 2026 research at the Historic Albion Michigan Facebook page. Historical Notebook \| From the Archives \| Subject List \| 100 Years Ago \| Alphabetical Index \| Frank Passic Home Page \| Albion History Books \| Contact Frank
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