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Old Mill Inn is a restaurant located across the street from Grand
Place. However, its original purpose was to serve as the Flour
Milling Industry Building for the centennial celebration. Workers
made it an exact replica of the Burrus Flour Mill in the town of McKinney,
a building which had been around since the early 1800s. The new clone
of the building housed exhibits pertaining to the flour mill industry
that included three kitchens, a tea room, and an experimental mill.
To run the attraction, a group of flour mill companies managed to
persuade a national cooking star named Ida Mae Chitwood to take charge.
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Old Mill Inn
Photo courtesy Clint Skinner, February 2016 |
Born
in Tennessee, Ida and her family of twelve moved to Ector,
Texas as a result of her father's vocation in the railroad industry.
All seemed well for Ida when she married Loren Chitwood and started
a raising a daughter. Unfortunately, one day when he was riding a
mule, the animal collided into a barbed-wire fence and tried to pull
away, resulting in the wire slicing his throat open. Ida was forced
to live with her family so she could continue raising her ten-month-old
child. Tragedy struck again when her mother died. Afterward, the family
decided to move to a town named Clarendon.
Wanting a better life for her daughter Christeen, Ida Chitwood moved
back to Tennessee and attended the George Peabody School for Teachers.
While she studied there, one of her instructors advised her to become
a home demonstration agent. The position would require her to teach
cooking skills, canning procedures, nutrition, and other ways to improve
household living. She followed the suggestion and acquired her certification
from the U. S. Department of Agriculture in 1918. Ida returned to
Texas, then began working for Donley County and the surrounding area.
Her success led her to opportunities in other regions in the state.
While serving Tom
Greene County, she encountered Houston Harte, the publisher of
San Angelo Standard-Times. He proposed that she should take the cooking
portion of her demonstrations and perform them on the road.
Ida decided to give Harte's suggestion a try in 1924. Using only a
microphone and her kitchen supplies, she traveled throughout the state
providing cooking classes for the public. Her endeavor was an immediate
success. During the late 1920s, she moved to University Park in Dallas
County. Ida continued gaining fame from her shows and started
getting attention from outside the state. By the 1930s, Ida had gained
national acclaim, evidenced by the fact that musicians like Glenn
Miller and Benny Goodman performed at the beginning of her demonstrations.
She traveled from city to city along the railroad system using her
own private car, which contained her office, belongings, and supplies.
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Old Mill Inn
Photo courtesy Clint Skinner, February 2016 |
When
Ida Chitwood arrived at Fair
Park, she taught cooking classes in addition to acting as the
building's supervisor. She also spent her time making fresh biscuits
absolutely free to those visiting the attraction. Because of hard
times, people would wait more than an hour in line to taste the
famous cook's food.
After the exposition,
the Old Mill Inn eventually became the home of the Borden's Dairy
Exhibit at the fair. Children would get to have the chance to meet
the family of the company's mascot Elsie. Her husband was named
Elmer and her daughter was called Beauregard. The two family members
were available for petting along with the matriarch.
The building
currently serves as a restaurant specializing in southern cuisine.
Open throughout the year, its interior is decorated with remnants
of the past. A stairway leading to a private dining area has autographed
photos of famous people who have paid a visit. In addition to the
customary meals it provides, the restaurant allows guests to participate
in a mystery party every Friday and Saturday through a local company
called Keith & Margo's Ultimate Mystery Dinner Adventure.
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References:
1.Bigtex.com
2.Dallashistory.org
3.Dallas Morning News Archives
4.Fairpark.org
5.Slate, John H. Historic Dallas Parks. Arcadia Publishing, 2010.
6.Tshaonline.org
7.Watermelon-kid.com
8.Wikipedia.org
8.Winters, Willis Cecil. Fair Park. Arcadia Publishing, 2010. |
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| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage or recent photos, please contact
us. |
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