The Alden Steam Mill, the first steam mill in McHenry County, Illinois, was built in 1873 by a man named Thompson. The mill was purchased in 1948 by E. P. Kraft to use for grain storage.

An inside view of at least the second floor showing an electric driven motor which in turn drives a large wooden pulley using a set of 4 belts. The pulley is mounted on a shaft that turns some gearing that possibly drives a grain elevator (an belt enclosed in a wooden shute about 4-5 inches wide that has metal scoops or cups mounted about every foot to carry grain, flour or such to the top of the mill to bins.

The roadside view of the mill from Alden Road/Ch 1. The mill has been a craft and antique shop since 1980. It has been purchased by Mary Lou Endres and by Aug. 2005, should be her private residence.