GPC Employees Preserve Old Pine Grist Mill at Wild Cat Den

MUSCATINE, Iowa (July 15, 2024) — A historical mid-1800s grist mill at Wild Cat Den State Park in Muscatine is being preserved through efforts led by two KENT®  Corporation employees. Andrew Temple, GPC Electrical Engineer and Kyle Burnham, GPC Maintenance Superintendent, partnered with the Old Pine Grist Mill in Muscatine, Iowa to preserve the original equipment, and extend the life of the milling machinery's infrastructure.

Built in 1848, the Pine Creek Grist Mill is the oldest working pioneer-era grist mill between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.  A grist mill is a facility where grain is ground into animal feed or flour; they were vital to the development of the Midwest. 

After hearing about its challenges with aging equipment, the strain on the pulleys and belts, and loud motor, Temple and Burnham decided to partner with the mill and make the necessary improvements.

“Much of the equipment is no longer manufactured or was hand-made to begin with, so preserving the original equipment was imperative,” said Temple.

Together, as part of a Leadership Muscatine initiative, Temple and Burnham investigated the electric motors at the mill and performed a sprocket change that reduced the mill speed by 50%. Grain Processing Corporation, part of KENT Corporation’s family of businesses, donated the materials needed for these updates.

“Old Pine Grist Mill has been an important part of the community since the 1800s, and I’m grateful to be a part of the reason it will be enjoyed for even longer,” said Burnham.

These improvements will allow the mill to operate efficiently for years to come, preserving history and enhancing guest experience. 

Wildcat Den State Park is one of the most photographed Iowa state parks in Iowa according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. For more information on the mill, check out pinecreekgristmill.com.

About KENT Corporation
With origins in the livestock feed business, today KENT Corporation is a diversified, family-owned company headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa (USA) with operating subsidiaries involved in corn wet milling, the production of animal feeds, and the manufacture of food, beverage, and pet products. KENT is led by third generation family member, Gage A. Kent. KENT serves customers across the world and employs approximately two thousand people in 40 locations across 20 states and seven countries.