Gristmill

A gristmill is a facility that uses milling machinery powered by water, wind, or animals to grind grains like wheat or corn into flour or meal. Historically, it played a crucial role in food production, with water mills being common, where a flowing stream turns a wheel that powers a stone grinder. Modern equivalents are more advanced, but the core idea remains the same: transforming raw grains into edible, usable products. Gristmills helped communities process their harvests efficiently and were often central to local economies and daily life.