The remains of what was known as Heckmann's Mill site aka Pryor's Mill and even called Prior's Mill also... The Mill Remains that your looking at are located on the East bank of the Gasconade River.... You are looking to the South... The Gasconade River is located to the West of these remains.GPS: 38D 30.16'N, 91D 40.79' W ele 545'/166 meters Fredericksburg Quadrangle

William Griffee (Griffith/Griffey)was a local from Ryors/Linnwood to the east of Heckmann's Bend where the mill ruins are located. Mr. Griffey built a water-powered flour mill on the Gasconade River. This mill was sold to George Pryor and, soon after, he began building a new mill but died before it was done. Mr. Pryor’s son and widow finished the construction which was considered a “wonder” during its day. It was said that Pryor’s Mill was so advanced for its time that people marveled at its steam-powered completion. George Pryor, Jr. sold the mill to Mr. Heckman in later years. Joseph Albertson owned a carding mill and saw mill. The impounded water of the Gasconade River also was used to power a wool carding mil and sawmill, which produced fine walnut for commercial use. Neighboring farmers from Gasconade & Osage Counties paid a Toll to have their Wheat & Corn ground into flour and meal. In its early days, the Mill was so busy that the farmers with their Ox-Drawn wagons sometimes waited two or three days for their turn for services.... Oral history recalls the use of the mill by both Union & Confederate soldiers, with the two sides declaring a truce in order to take turns using the mill.... Pryor's Mill flourished until 1883 when steam mills, which produced better flour with more modern machinery, were put into operation closer to customers' homes.... Joseph Pryor, passing it on to his son George Washington Pryor/Prior, making him the 3rd Owner and Miller of this millsite.