Upon returning from the war of 1812, enterprising farmer Samuel Cox got to work building what was then known as The Mill at Mattituck. It opened for business in 1820, milling grain for farmers from Riverhead to Southold. There are many types of mills, powered by wind, rivers, and tides. The Mill at Mattituck was a tidal mill, collecting water in what was called a ‘collect basin’ during the incoming tide, and releasing the now highly pressurized water through a gate into the ‘mill run’ which powered the water wheel. The water wheel, which sat on the rear of the original structure where the dining room now is, was attached to the original drive shaft which turned the milling stones located on the second floor. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve had a drink leaning against that original drive shaft still in place in front of the bar. 

 

The Mill quickly became central to Mattituck life and commerce, so much so that the town built a bridge across Mattituck Creek to shorten the wagon ride for farmers coming from Oregon and Cutchogue farms. The house you see across the way was the bridge keepers house, whose task it was to open the bridge when boats needed to pass in and out of the upper reaches of what was then known as Mattituck Bay. 

 

As time and technology progressed, in 1902 a steam powered mill opened on Factory Avenue and made The now ‘Old Mill’ obsolete. Fortunately for generations of us, another enterprising owner had the idea to ‘Turn it into a Gin Mill, instead of a Grist Mill’ and The Old Mill was now a tavern and inn. 

 

By the time of Prohibition The Old Mill Inn was known far and wide as a great and off the beaten track joint to drink, with nightly jazz bands keeping patrons dancing all weekend. There are too many names to mention, fishermen, farmers, famous writers, actors and even a beer-drinking monkey, who have spent nights in the bar room, the inn rooms upstairs and of course on the deck admiring the view. Many of these guests signed their names on the beams above you dating back now well over a century. Please ask us some stories; there are many to tell, many we haven’t heard and many more to be made. 

 

Welcome Back to The Old Mill Inn