Podunk Mill

This week's Musings from Main takes a look at the history of one of the most iconic buildings in South Windsor, the Podunk Mill currently known as the Mill on the River restaurant.  Don't miss our upcoming Murder Mystery Dinner to be held at the restaurant on May 31, 2025.

250 Years Old

According to local stories, the original dam of the Podunk Mill was a joint venture between white and Native American residents. According to the 1995 edition of the handbook that accompanies the American bi-centennial quilt, "In 1693, Nathaniel Bissell, Samuel Grant Sr., Samuel Grant Jr., and John Grant had shares in a mill along the Podunk River. The Skinner family, who owned the land, also had shares."

The handbook, which was compiled and revised by Charles E. Woodard with the assistance of local historian Doris Burgdorf, states that, "Another mill was built on the Podunk River in 1734. In 1750, the mill and its dam consisting of heavy timbers and planks were completely washed away."

The narrative for Donna Oberg's quilt square number three featuring The Podunk Mill, goes on to say, "The mill was rebuilt in 1775 by Samuel Rockwell. This part of Town became known as 'Rockwell Mills.'  The mill was later sold to Chelsea C. Vinton."  (The locations of Vinton’s Pond and Vinton’s Mill are frequently referred to on old maps.)

The grist mill was located on the north side of the Podunk River. Corn, buckwheat, and rye were ground at the grist mill and stored in large bins until ready to be sold. There was a saw mill on the other [south] side of the river and a footbridge connecting the two. Part of the mill was again washed away in 1869, but immediately rebuilt by Vinton.  It is the framework of the historic grist mill that has been renovated to the modern Mill On the River restaurant.

Join us at the historic Mill on the River for a lovely dinner overlooking the Podunk River dam and an entertaining evening of mystery, a wee bit of history, misunderstandings and … murder??

Skipper Rockwell, the long-time owner of the historic Podunk Mill on Ellington Road in South Windsor, requests your presence for dinner.  But who will attend?  Maybe his famous son Basil, the actor, who uses the stage name Sherlock Gillette!  Surely Terry Fitch, a relation of some sort who is handy with inventions and mechanics and has been trying to help Rockwell modernize the mill!  

More details on the Murder Mystery at the Mill on May 31, 2025, including dinner menu and registration form are available on Facebook and our website.

Resources used for this Musings From Main:

- About the Mill on the River: The History of Podunk Mill & Today’s Restaurant, Mill on the River website, retrieved April 4, 2025.

- Oberg, Donna, Quilt Square Three, The Podunk Mill, Bi-Centennial Quilt handbook, 1995 revised and corrected second edition booklet.

- South Windsor Past Meets Present online exhibit, Friends of Wood Memorial Library & Museum website, retrieved April 4, 2025.