When Daniel Gray built Montgomery Mills on the bank of the Fox River in the early 1850s, he probably never imagined the building would still stand in 2012.
Although the building houses a casual American fare restaurant and bar now instead of a turbine grist mill, its historical traits and significance have been maintained.
Debra Metzinger is the general manager of Gray’s Mill, now a casual restaurant that features American fare dining and full-service bar/ banquet accommodations.
“What we offer is different from what [Jason’s at Gray’s Mill] was about,” Metzinger said, referring to the building’s former occupant. “Our food and atmosphere is casual; we want people to know that.”
Metzinger emphasizes that the many historic details still intact throughout the facility create an extra-special dining experience.
For instance, the original timbers from the mill’s creation comprise the foundation, and according to the Gray’s Mill restaurant website, the brace for the original millstone is still intact within the building’s interior.
Wooden floors and limestone walls create a cozy atmosphere that complements the facility’s riverfront location. Seasonally, the restaurant offers patio seating and an outdoor marquee tent to accommodate weddings and other events.
Metzinger said the Gray’s Mill staff recognizes the importance of maintaining the building (also known as Gray-Watkin’s Mill) because it has so much significance to Montgomery history.
Daniel Gray recognized the potential for harnessing the power of the Fox River to grind wheat for transport to the growing Chicago market in the middle of the 19th century. According to the Gray’s Mill website, the building survived several different uses after its time as a mill before being named to the National Register of Historic Places in the 1970s.
In the 1980s and 90s, the building was purchased and painstakingly renovated to maintain its status as a landmark in Montgomery’s historic district.
Now that the building is on its second run as a restaurant, Metzinger hopes it will become a favorite for Montgomery locals and visitors alike.
“It has been an honor to be involved with bringing this building back to life,” Metzinger said. “It is a true gem with so much to offer.”