Autumn At Alley Mill Eminence Missouri

Each autumn fall season, my mom, daughter and I take a day trip traveling somewhere in the Ozarks to photograph the beautiful colors of the season. We try to go to a different area each year. For this trip we traveled to Eminence Missouri to see the beautiful and historic Alley Roller Mill. I love to visit mills during the autumn season.

When we took this trip in mid October, there wasn't much color near Springfield Missouri so I researched online to see where the color was. Looked like Mark Twain National Forest area was showing a little more color so that's why we decided on this location. As we were driving the closer we got, the more disappointed I was that there wasn't more color.

When we first got there we was finally seeing a little color, especially around the water but it was really cloudy. As a photographer, I want diffused light with a few clouds and some sun, but their was no sign of the sun coming out. Near the parking lot was a beautiful orange sugar maple tree that was the first full colored tree we saw. It was beautiful!

There a little walk before you get to the mill. On the way you'll see the historic Story's Creek one room schoolhouse. I'm not sure what year it was built but back in 1903, there were 42 students.

Across from the school you get your first glimpse of Alley Mill just over a small walkway bridge.

Alley Mill and Spring is part of the National Park Service. From my research it looks like it was built in 1894by George Washington McCaskill as a merchant mill and was equipped with modern machinery that utilized steel rollers for grinding. It was larger then most mills in the Jacks Fork area and replaced an earlier grist mill on this same site that was built in 1868.

You can go inside the mill, but I was so focused on getting outside photos that I didn't take any inside. There's a beautiful natural blue green spring with a trail around it. It hasan average daily flow of 81 million gallons. As we were walking around it was still pretty cloudy, but then when we got to the opposite side of the spring, the sun peaked out just long enough for the mill and trees to reflect on the water!! It was an amazing sight. The Lord put us there at the right time so I can capture this amazing photo, and it is one of my most popular photos. There are a few others too I took at different angles.

It was such a blessing and such a brief moment to capture that beautiful light.

As you continue to walk around you come across some beautiful rapids from the natural spring that turns into a little creek called Alley Spring. Towards the end of the walking trail, you get this beautiful sight of the mill with the creek and some cool curved trees and vines.

That's not all there is to see there. They have various walking trails around the park that has beautiful views of the Alley Spring creek / river. It's worth the visit anytime of the year, but especially during the autumn season. As you can see, no matter the weather, it's a breath taking. I hope you get to visit there.

To see more photos taken during this trip, click here: https://5-jennifer-white.pixels.com/art/eminence

If you get the chance to visit there, feel free to add your comments about your trip. I'd love to hear them.