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National Register of Historic Places

Painter-Bernatz Mill

Also known as Old Stone Mill

Decorah’s first place on the National RegisterListed Jan 11, 1974; only 43 of Iowa’s 2,458 listings are older
Listed 1974Decorah
DirectionsAdd an old photo

Many listed buildings are private homes. Please enjoy them from the street.

About

About Painter-Bernatz Mill

Painter-Bernatz Mill, at 200 N. Mill St., was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Jan 11, 1974: the first place in Decorah to be listed. Only 43 of Iowa’s 2,458 listings are older. The Register lists it for its industry, agriculture and art, at the local level.

What it isBuilding in Iowa, United States. From Wikidata (CC0). Read about it on Wikipedia ↗

PDFRead the original nominationThe form that put it on the Register, with its history, photos and a map · 22 MB · National Archives↗
Visit

Make it a walk: 2 landmarks in about 10 minutes

200 N. Mill St., Decorah · about 0.2 miles on foot, as the crow flies

DirectionsWalk the tour in Google Maps
  1. 1Painter-Bernatz MillStart here
  2. 2Decorah Ice CaveBuilt 1973 · 0.2 mi on
Around it

12 more Register listings within a mile

★ National Historic Landmark · D district · B building · S site. Each opens its own page.

BDecorah Woolen MillBuilding0.3 miDDecorah Commercial Historic DistrictDistrict0.4 miDBroadway-Phelps Park Historic District (Boundary Increase)Neo-Gothic0.5 miBSteyer Opera HouseBuilding0.5 miBNorris Miller HouseVernacular Classical0.6 miBDecorah Municipal Bathhouse and Swimming PoolModerne0.6 miBEllsworth-Porter HouseItalianate0.8 miBDecorah HospitalBuilding0.8 miBKoren LibraryClassical Revival0.8 miDLuther College Campus Historic DistrictDistrict0.8 miBLuther College FarmBuilding0.8 miBMilwaukee and St. Paul Railway Combination DepotBuilding0.9 mi

Memories of Painter-Bernatz Mill

The record says what it is. Neighbors know what it means.

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Questions about Painter-Bernatz Mill

Is Painter-Bernatz Mill on the National Register of Historic Places?

Yes. It was added on Jan 11, 1974 (Register number 74000816).

Is Painter-Bernatz Mill a National Historic Landmark?

No. It is on the National Register; Iowa has 22 National Historic Landmarks.

Can you visit Painter-Bernatz Mill?

Our record doesn’t say whether it is open to visitors. Many listed buildings are private, so it may only be seen from the street.

Where can I read the history of Painter-Bernatz Mill?

In its National Register nomination, the form that put it on the Register: a 22 MB PDF at the National Archives, linked on this page.

Sources: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places (05/22/2026) · National Archives catalog record 75340290 · Wikidata. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.