Wilson Feed Mill
Also known as: Alexander's Mill
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Why it's listed
Beside the Ohio and Erie Canal in Valley View, next to Lock No. 37, stands a two-story wood-frame mill built in 1855. Andrew Alexander, who came to Independence Township from Columbiana County in 1833, built it as Alexander's Mills. His son James C. later joined the business and was his father's partner for 30 years. The building sits on a stone foundation, has clapboard siding and a gabled asphalt roof, and is described as a vernacular mill with Classic Revival overtones. Wooden and metal ventilators rise from the roof. The interior has been remodeled, and later additions stand on every side except the north. The Wilson family has owned the mill since 1900, and it continues to operate as a feed mill and retail outlet for feed and seed. Power now comes from electric turbines, since the water wheel is gone. It is recognized as the last surviving grist mill in the Cuyahoga Valley and as part of the canal's historic resources.
Significance in brief: It is described as the last surviving grist mill in the Cuyahoga Valley. It is tied to the Alexander family milling business and to the Ohio and Erie Canal, and it has been in the Wilson family since 1900. It is included as part of the Ohio and Erie Canal thematic group.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79000298, listed December 17, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 7604 Canal Rd., Valley View |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | December 17, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79000298 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Andrew Alexander (builder of "Alexander's Mills") |
| Architectural style | Vernacular mill structure with Classic Revival overtones |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still operating as a feed mill and retail outlet for feed and seed; powered by electric turbines, the water wheel is gone. Interior and exterior condition listed as very good. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | Ohio and Erie Canal |
| Coordinates | 41.35626, -81.59638 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79000298.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q100965137
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.