A PICTURE OF THE PAST

A PICTURE OF THE PAST

As I sit on the bank pondering what fly to tie on, and watching the pool for any movement or ripple on the water, I can’t help but wonder. Did they even know there were fish in the stream right behind them? As I worked my way down this dirt road, picking out spots I thought might hold fish, I came upon this remarkable piece of history. This might be something that might bore another, but to me, it is one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen. I’m not sure if it was a church or a school, but am thinking it might have been both. I can tell by the way the landscaping is kept  that someone else must appreciate it as much as I do. I was blessed on this trip. Not only to come across this piece of history, but because the fishing angels must have thought I deserved to have a wonderful weekend. Fishing and weather were fabulous. I would like to know more about his place. Hopefully next time I come down here, I will have a little deeper understanding about this place that captured my spirit. And hopefully, I can find those same fishing angels that were smiling on me on my last visit.
AUTHORS NOTE: I did some research to try to find out more about this abandoned building on Gribben Creek in Whalan, MN. After contacting the Fillmore County History Center, I was surprised to find out that this building was a flour mill. This is Gribbin’s Mill built in 1868 by Peter & Patrick Gribbin. Drawing water from the creek to turn a turbine wheel, it was able to turn out about eighty bushels of flour a day. In 1880 this mill was struck by “Western Fever” and the machinery was sold and moved west. Peter sold his share of the land and followed the machinery west.  I do not know why it was not dismantled, but I’m glad it remains for all of us wondering fly fisherman to enjoy, and dream about the past. It is a beautiful site to see in the day, but when the sun sets, it shines inside and looks as if the candles are still lit.

By Scott Nordby