While never a mill to grind grain, the structure was built in the 1930's to provide electrical power for the Juniper Springs Campground.

The building was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps [CCC] in 1935, as was the campground in an area of a sand-choked spring visited only by wildlife and an occasional hunter.

Swimming facilities, picnicking areas, and a campground were developed by the Corps, with the replica mill built with a wooden water wheel to generate electricity, powered by eight million gallons of water a day.

Batteries inside the millhouse stored the generated electricity, used to light the swimming area at the spring, picnick facilities, and campground areas.

The early recreation development consisted of a manager's house, a bathhouse, 15 camping units, and a trail system. The area, with its improvements, was dedicated on September 14, 1936.

The park, now the Juniper Spring's State Park located within the Ocala National Forest, is a cooperative project between the State of Florida and the National Forest Service.

This small stone arch bridge, built also by the CCC in the 1930's, spans the outlet stream from the natural spring about 50 yards from the millhouse.

The millhouse has, since being built, served as living quarters for a consessioner, a workshop for a wildlife biologist, and since 1964, has been the visitor information center for the park and its several springs.