♪♪ [Kohlsdorf] In the heart of Independence, a relic of the city's past towers above the west bank of the Wapsipinicon River.

♪♪ [Kohlsdorf] In its heyday, the Wapsipinicon feed mill stood among the largest grist mills in the state of Iowa.

[Leanne Harrison] The mill was built in 1867 to 1870.

It took three years to build a timber brick veneer, six story building, which was quite an effort in that era.

The mill originally was for grinding, for flour.

They had wheat, and then they turned to oats and corn.

[Kohlsdorf] 101 windows provided natural light and ventilation during the building's century of operation as a mill.

Production came to a close in 1976, and the building was donated to the Buchanan County Historical Society.

[Leanne Harrison] Throughout the years, we, the Historical Society, have spent over $1 million on renovations.

We believe this is a worthwhile building to preserve.

It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

And when anybody ever hears about Independence, they always comment about the Wapsy Mill.

[Kohlsdorf] Today, the mill serves as a museum, preserving the story of both the building and the community it helped to shape.

Much of the machinery still sits in its original place, too massive to be moved.

For more than 150 years, the mill has stood at the edge of downtown Independence as an enduring symbol of the city's history.

♪♪ [Leanne Harrison] The town itself kind of built around it.

Us locals say it's always been here, you know.

It's a magnificent building.

♪♪