updated 02/03/2018
updated 02/03/2018
Waterville,
Paint Creek twp.
Waterville got its start in 1850 and developed quite rapidly, beginning with the building of the Riley Ellis grist mill, or corn cracker, on Paint Creek in 1850. Jeptha Beebe bought and improved the mill in 1853 and also put in a saw mill the same year. It was, for a time, one of the most active places in Allamakee County. After a brief period of decline, Waterville took on new life and prosperity with the construction of the Waukon and Mississippi Railroad in 1877. Waterville was incorporated in 1912.
Photo postcard, general view of Waterville, undated
~contributed by Errin Wilker
View of Waterville, early 1900's
~source: 1996 Waukon State Bank Calendar
~contributed by Errin Wilker
The Waterville flour mill is prominent in the foreground of this
undated photo
~source: 1996 Waukon State Bank Calendar
~contributed by Errin Wilker
Old Landmark Gone
Up at Waterville, in this county, the old flour mill, which had been undermined by water, went down with a crash, and only one end of it left sanding. This was the first flour mill erected in Allamakee county and was built away back in the fifties sometime, and has not been used for many years. It was an old landmark and another record of the far gone pioneer days has passed away.
~Postville Herald, September 6, 1918 ~ contributed by S. Ferrall
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Waterville sawmill gang, undated
None of the men pictured is identified
~photo postcard contributed by S. Ferrall
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