State Fair's Ye Old Mill Celebrates 100th Anniversary

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Ye Old Mill is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

The ride is the oldest State Fair concession that's been owned and operated by the same family.

If success is measured by the length of the line, than Ye Old Mill has found state fair fortune.

Every year, visitors like Matt Nelson come back, ready to introduce their family's future to a ride of the past.

In under five minutes, fair-goers get a glimpse of old-time entertainment from a century ago.

Built originally as a Vaudeville attraction, the Keenan family fought the urge to make modifications.

"The building you see is original, the design of the boats is original, most of the machinery is original," Joe Keenan said. "It's about keeping that long-standing tradition in the state of Minnesota."

Nostalgia turned to tradition and this year the celebration of an impressive milestone.

Gov. Dayton declared Thursday the Ye Old Mill Day in the state of Minnesota.

After 100 years, most fair-goers are bound to have at least one Ye Old Mill memory, with younger generations creating new stories in every boat ride.

The Keenan family says they have the oldest original Ye Old Mill in the country.

The Iowa State Fair, like other fairs also has a similar ride, but it's been modified through the years.