Historic Memories of Fillmore County: The Old Mill

In recent weeks our good friend, poet and photographer,  Aaron L. Sleyster, has taken us to the small towns of Forestville and Canton and entertained us with interesting poems about these very old towns.

Today we have arrived in Fillmore County’s Seat, beautiful Preston, Minnesota, the poet’s town of residence for the very few years he lived in Minnesota before returning to his native Wisconsin.

Mr. Sleyster loved Preston, its’ people and its’ beautiful landscapes! The cabinet photographs he created are mostly of men, women, couples, children, and babies. However, once in a while, I have run across some like the one you are seeing today, a rare one indeed.

Preston citizens may be able to identify this spot on the south end of town on the banks of the Root River. For any of you who aren’t positive of where we are, we’re heading down St. Paul Street, crossing over the south bridge and looking to the east. And there it is, “The Old Mill,” only it is 125 years ago in this photograph!

Evidently Sleyster snapped the picture as he stood on the bridge looking at the two gentlemen below near the riverbank. Then he took pen to hand and wrote the following poem:

“The Old Mill”

By Aaron L. Sleyster

Tell me not earth has no 

pleasure,

Gaze upon this charming glen;

Take pure comfort without measure,

And revive your hopes again.

Here a babbling stream is laving

‘Neath the spreading shady trees;

Here are graceful willows 

waving

In the gentle summer breeze.

Yonder lofty pines are sighing

On the distant massive hill,

While the echo is replying 

To the humming of the mill.

Such a gorgeous scene of 

splendor

Is refreshing to the mind,

And how graciously it tenders

Blessings to all human kind.

Aaron L. Sleyster was definitely a talented artist whether he was holding a paintbrush, penning a poem or photographing a spectacular scene such as this.

More of his excellent work is headed your way, so please, stay tuned!