Entire home
1867 Timber-framed Flour Mill's 1st Floor Apartment Overlooks Shell Rock River
Photo gallery for 1867 Timber-framed Flour Mill's 1st Floor Apartment Overlooks Shell Rock River





Reviews
10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 8111.5 sq m
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Shell Rock, IA
- Place, Hoyt Elliot Memorial Park1 min walk
- Place, Benny Gambaiani Public Library2 min walk
- Place, Shell Rock Wildlife Management Area10 min walk
- Airport, Waterloo, IA (ALO-Waterloo Regional)24 min drive
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 8)
Larger Bedroom
1 Queen Bed
Livingroom
1 Double Futon
Smaller bedroom
1 Double Bed
1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom
Bathroom 1
Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Bathroom 2
Soap · Towels provided · Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area
About this property
1867 Timber-framed Flour Mill's 1st Floor Apartment Overlooks Shell Rock River
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
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Similar properties

River View. Rent Historic Mill's 2nd Floor. Rustic Timber-frame Construction
River View. Rent Historic Mill's 2nd Floor. Rustic Timber-frame Construction
- Kitchen
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Air-conditioning
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (71 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 12:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Supervise kids due to RIVER, stairs & street!
Events
No events allowed
Preapproval required for small family gatherings.
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
NOT inside or within 25 ft of mill. Built in 1867
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Put furniture and items back where you found them UNLESS items are throws or used linens. We want to wash all used linens, including mattress and pillow protectors, throws, comforters, pillows.
Call or text us when you lockup/ leave 515-491-4016 OR 515-491-3585.
Safe travels. Thanks for choosing The Old Mill!
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Preapproval required for small family gatherings.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Shell Rock
Located in Shell Rock, this holiday home is in the city centre and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Shell Rock Wildlife Management Area and Shell Rock Bend Wildlife Management Area, while Shell Rock Historical Museum and Neumann Auditorium are cultural highlights. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and water tubing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking and cycling.

Shell Rock, IA
What's nearby
- Hoyt Elliot Memorial Park - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
- Benny Gambaiani Public Library - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
- Shell Rock Historical Museum - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
- Shell Rock Wildlife Management Area - 10 min walk - 0.8 km
- Shell Rock County Park - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- McDonald's - 8 min drive
- VFW - 11 min drive
- Taco Bell - 9 min drive
- Starbucks - 8 min drive
- Casey's General Store - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window10/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Staff & service
9.6/10
Amenities
9.4/10
Property conditions & facilities
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
Verified
7 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 35 nights in Aug 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Rebecca N.
30 Dec 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Rebecca N.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Sara S.
10 Oct 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sara S.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Eric G.
2 Oct 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Eric G.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Joni B.
20 Nov 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Joni B.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
10 Nov 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Verified traveller
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Brandon
5 Aug 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Brandon
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Laurie P.
5 Oct 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Laurie P.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Sheryl D.
26 May 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Comfortable, cozy, and a history lesson!
Sheryl D.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Ryan W.
13 June 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Ryan W.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Katrina M.
17 June 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Katrina M.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Justine B.
14 Oct 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Small Town Vibes
Justine B.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Matt W.
12 Sept 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
River property
Matt W.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Terri S.
14 Aug 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Shell Rock visit
Terri S.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified
8/10 Good
Kenna A.
5 July 2018
Great peaceful retreat
Kenna A.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Pamela
31 May 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Pamela
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Verified
8/10 Good
Kenneth Z.
21 May 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet
Kenneth Z.
Stayed 9 nights in May 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Deborah m.
3 Apr 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wedding weekend!
Deborah m.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Amanda R.
27 Aug 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great historic stay
Amanda R.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Todd G.
24 July 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome Place!!!
Todd G.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jill M.
2 May 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Another perfect trip!
Jill M.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Robin S.
4 Sept 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Place
Robin S.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Peter B.
24 May 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Must stay at property.
Peter B.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jeff E.
20 Mar 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Weekend Visit
Jeff E.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Tim F.
31 May 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Hosts in Historic Location
Tim F.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022
About the host
Hosted by Diana & Daryl Pals
Mill curator, lovers of early 1900's antiques and primitives. We enjoy nature, bicycling, kayaking and restoration of antiques and buildings. We want to share the mill's awesome ambience with others. We lived in the mill from 2002 through 2015.
Why they chose this property
Why did we buy this property in Shell Rock? Because the mill was here waiting for a new opportunity in its long life. The challenge was to take it from a shell with minimal electricity and no plumbing to an insulated, habitable residence while retaining the charm of the massive wooden beams. The previous owner purchased the mill when the business of milling animal feed closed in 1978. He focused on saving the mill from demolition by straightening it, then working from roof to foundation replacing shingles, siding, windows doors and mortar. Visitors remind us of the mill's awesome character which we now take for granted.
What makes this property unique
BENEFIT #1: Historic 1867 architecture! The craftsmanship is unparalled today with mortise and tenon construction. Massive beams, columns & their supports, "floating" floor joists are all visible. Drywall was hung & custom kitchen cabinets were built to leave structural wood exposed. Windows and doors throughout the mill are framed with wood flooring salvaged from the second floor level.
BENEFIT #2: Get away from the big city hustle and bustle. Enjoy nature. Relax by the river or on it! Walk onto the deck above the river. It will take your breath away! Listen to the rush of the river over the dam. First thing in the morning, gaze out at the river as it tumbles by. Experience Iowa's varied landscape and small town friendliness from the mill's comfortable, convenient location.
Kayak, canoe or fish just steps away from the mill. Boat launches are within one, five or fifteen minutes. If it is not high-water, you can even carry your kayak to the park next door, launch, paddle upstream and float back without getting in your truck! No kayak? No problem. Crawdaddy Outdoors rents them 6.5 miles away!
Over 100 miles of hard-surfaced trails are within one to 25 miles from the mill. A short one is two blocks away along the river at Rasmussen Park - great walk or ride! An eight-mile trail is one mile north of town. Motorcyclists can enjoy the abundance of scenic county highways in the area. Swimming is available year round - summer at the town pool & all year at "The W" six miles away at Wartburg.
BENEFIT #3: Wartburg College & University of Northern Iowa are 6 and 22 miles away with cultural and sporting events.
BENEFIT #2: Get away from the big city hustle and bustle. Enjoy nature. Relax by the river or on it! Walk onto the deck above the river. It will take your breath away! Listen to the rush of the river over the dam. First thing in the morning, gaze out at the river as it tumbles by. Experience Iowa's varied landscape and small town friendliness from the mill's comfortable, convenient location.
Kayak, canoe or fish just steps away from the mill. Boat launches are within one, five or fifteen minutes. If it is not high-water, you can even carry your kayak to the park next door, launch, paddle upstream and float back without getting in your truck! No kayak? No problem. Crawdaddy Outdoors rents them 6.5 miles away!
Over 100 miles of hard-surfaced trails are within one to 25 miles from the mill. A short one is two blocks away along the river at Rasmussen Park - great walk or ride! An eight-mile trail is one mile north of town. Motorcyclists can enjoy the abundance of scenic county highways in the area. Swimming is available year round - summer at the town pool & all year at "The W" six miles away at Wartburg.
BENEFIT #3: Wartburg College & University of Northern Iowa are 6 and 22 miles away with cultural and sporting events.
Languages:
English
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