Millington House

In 1834, Dr. Abel Millington came to St. Charles, then called Charleston, from Ypsilanti, Michigan. Upon his arrival, he bought a large parcel of land on the west side of town from Gideon Young for $8,000 in gold, a huge sum in those days. He immediately began building a flour mill on the Fox River, where Hotel Baker now stands. Abel Millington's son, Darwin, joined his father in the business venture.

Darwin built this brick house in 1837, and brought his wife, Miranda Boardman Millington, to live in the large residence after their marriage on October 23, 1838. The location of this house was called "Millington's Hill." Pliny Durant wrote in the St. Charles Chronicle in 1902 (later compiled into Passing in Review: Reminiscences of Men Who Have Lived in St. Charles) that "the old brick house was in its day one of the most pretentious edifices St. Charles could boast."

Dr. Millington died prior to the completion of the mill, and in 1838 Darwin inherited the business. Darwin sold the mill in around 1850 to R.J. Haines and for many years it was known as the Haines Excelsior Flour Mill.

Darwin Millington proved to be a generous citizen of St. Charles. He donated land on the east side of 4th Street on which the Old St. Patrick's Church was built in 1851. The younger Millington also gave land to the town for the West Side Park, now named Lincoln Park.

Darwin was also instrumental in bringing the St. Charles Branch Railroad to St. Charles in 1850. 

The Millington house remained a private residence for most of its existence. Today, it houses the offices of several small businesses. 

Sources

■ Clauter, Hazel. Our Community--St. Charles. 1967.

■ Clauter, Hazel. Our Community--St. Charles. IL: Units I-VI: Historical Information Compiled for Third Grade Teachers.1990.

■ Pearson, Ruth Ann. Reflections of St. Charles. Elgin: Brethern Press, 1976.