The history of Vitt's mill union, Missouri
A Building
Worth Saving
Before it became a place for celebrations, Vitt’s Mill was a working grist mill.
John T. Vitt established the mill in 1859, constructing a three-story brick building on a stone foundation. Powered by a steam engine, it was described in an 1888 county history as the first steam mill established in Franklin County.
The business continued under his sons, Herman and Alfred. In 1887, new roller equipment increased the mill’s daily capacity from 50 barrels to between 60 and 75 barrels—a substantial operation within the building you see today.
Built in 1859
Only a few years after it opened, Vitt’s Mill became part of the conflict dividing the nation.
On April 20, 1861, schoolteacher David Murphy gathered at least 50 Union supporters at the mill. They enrolled in federal service before traveling to St. Louis, making the mill an early gathering place for local men who supported the Union cause.
On October 1, 1864, Confederate forces advancing through Missouri attacked Union militia defending the mill and the nearby Bourbeuse River crossing. The fighting placed the mill at the center of a strategic route through the area. Afterward, Confederate troops used the mill to grind flour for their supplies, connecting the building’s wartime history to its original purpose as a working grist mill.
The historical marker near Vitt’s Mill commemorates both its role in organizing Union supporters and its place in the 1864 fighting.
During the Civil War
When Maria and Travis Blankenship, owners of Union Furniture & Flooring, purchased the historic Vitt’s Mill, they saw more than an aging building. They saw a piece of Union’s history worth preserving.
With a commitment to honoring its original character, they undertook an extensive restoration, carefully bringing new life to the mill while preserving the brick, stone, and timbers that have stood for generations.
Their vision was not simply to restore a building, but to give it a new purpose within the community. Today, Events at Vitt’s Mill opens its doors as a place where people can gather, celebrate, and create memories of their own.
Thanks to their dedication, a treasured piece of Union’s past has a place in its future.
Preserving the Mill's
Next Chapter
Some of the most interesting parts of Vitt’s Mill are the details that remain. Look around during your visit, and you’ll find reminders of the building’s working life.
THE STONE FOUNDATION
The original stone foundation remains part of the mill today. In The Cellars, the exposed stone gives the space its unmistakable cellar character.
THE TIMBER FRAME
The mill’s timber framing was cleaned, leveled, and carefully returned to place during restoration. Keeping the beams exposed allows visitors to see how the building was put together.
THE MILLING DETAILS
A surviving grain chute and hopper connect the building to its original purpose. These pieces help tell the story of how grain once moved through the mill.
History You Can See
Today, Vitt’s Mill is a place to gather again.
For more than 160 years, this building has stood at the center of the community’s story. It began as a working grist mill, became a witness to important moments in Missouri history, and has now been carefully restored so people can experience its character for themselves.
We are opening Vitt’s Mill to the community because historic places are meant to be more than preserved—they are meant to be lived in, shared, and remembered. The worn brick, exposed timber, stone foundation, and original milling details connect us to the people who worked here and to the generations who came before us. By welcoming people into these spaces, we can honor that history while creating new memories within it.
The Loft, The Granary, and The Cellars each offer their own setting for birthdays, showers, dinners, meetings, and celebrations. Whether you are gathering with family, marking an important milestone, or simply spending time with friends, your occasion becomes part of the mill’s continuing story.
Come explore the spaces, discover the history, and find the setting that fits your occasion.
Where the Story Continues
