A half-hour east of Dayton, Ohio is one of the largest water-powered grist mills still in existence, Historic Clifton Mill. Visitors flock there for its history, nostalgia, and the great pancakes made from flours ground onsite. But, Christmas time is special when the mill, riverbanks, trees, and even a covered bridge come to life as 4 million lights illuminate everything visible. There’s even a 100-foot “waterfall” of twinkling lights that will mesmerize the Scroogiest of callers.
For 32 years, Clifton Mill has been hosting the spectacular event, which takes six workers three months to put up. The breath-taking display has been showcased in everything from Ohio Magazine to Midwest Living. In 2019, USA Today’s bestowed it with a “10 Best Readers Choice” travel award and it’s a contender on ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight.” The Mill’s general manager Jessica Noes said, “We’re the heavyweight on the show. We won last year!”
With the flip of a switch at 6:00, all 4 million lights go on at once, transforming the wooded night into a jaw-dropping winter wonderland. Each hour, all 4 million lights go out, once again bringing on the silent night. Quietly at first, a medley of instrumental Christmas favorites begin to play, while a portion of the lights on the covered bridge start twinkling. The music builds - and with it, more lights start blinking in harmony. The music crescendos then suddenly silences, and it’s all winter darkness again. Then, just as quickly, the entire spectacle of 4 million lights comes back on all at once. People actually gasp. As one visitor enthusiastically commented, “The experience was breathtaking and was a great experience.”
Accolades withstanding, the team at Clifton strives to keep improving the show. “We’re always adding to the covered bridge show,” Ms. Noes said. She added, “Last year, we added the RGB (red, green, blue) trees. We’re making them even better.”
And, it’s not just about the lights. Guests will also enjoy the miniature village, a huge vintage toy collection, and a Santa Claus museum with an eye-popping collection of over 3,000 Santas. “We added hundreds of new Santas last year and we’ve added to the miniature village,” Ms. Noes informed The Buzz. Kids will love peeking into Santa’s Workshop to see the real Santa at work - and then every 15 minutes, grin in delight when he checks his list and skitters up the chimney to load his sleigh! As another visitor chimed, “Clifton Mill is such an amazing place! The amount of lights they use to decorate is unreal! The little village they have set up with the trains and moving characters is so neat to watch! Then the building with all the Santa stuff, wow! This is truly a unique place and a must-see for all families!”
The Clifton Gorge and bridge [Photo/Wikimedia Commons]
Historic Clifton Mill is one of the largest water-powered grist mills still in existence. Mills in this area of Ohio were built to harness the power of the water funneling through the gorges along the Little Miami River. At one time there were five other mills within a mile of Clifton; today, Historic Clifton Mill is the only one still standing.
The first mill at the site was built in 1802 by Owen Davis, a Revolutionary War soldier turned miller. By 1810, Davis had sold the mill to Robert Patterson, one of the founders of Cincinnati and grandfather of the founder of the National Cash Register Company (Today’s NCR). Clifton Mill played a part in the War of 1812 when it provided cornmeal for federal troops from Ohio. A nearby wool mill owned by Patterson provided cloth for uniforms. The mill changed hands several times across the 19th and 20th-century, eventually landing in the hands of the Satariano family who set out to preserve the important piece of history.
Year-round, guests can view a collection of over 300 flour bags from mills that once existed around the country (at one time there were approximately 100,000 mills across the US). For $3 per person, guests can tour the inner workings of the mill (see website for tour times).
Outside, guests can enjoy another of the country’s disappearing treasures, an authentic covered bridge. The wooden bridge at Clifton Mill spans 90-feet across the Little Miami River. From it, visitors can enjoy great photo opportunities of the mill, Clifton Gorge, and waterfalls along the Little Miami River. Next door to the mill is a 1940s gas station museum decked out with signs and petroliana.
The best visit to Historic Clifton Mill includes a meal of their famous pancakes and breads made from flour ground right in the mill. If you are lucky enough to get a window seat, you can enjoy the river flowing through the gorge or cascading over the mill wheel. Wherever you sit, let the gentle din of the millworks and cascading water remind you of a simpler era. Open for breakfast and lunch.
Be sure to stop in the mill’s gift shop to purchase some of the mill-ground flour and pancake mixes. You’ll find buckwheat, cornmeal, and even sorghum available. Antiques and vintage items along with old-fashioned candy, jellies, and unique gifts await.
Soon after the original mill’s construction, a village known as Davis Mills sprang up. Robert Patterson had the area surveyed into lots and officially designated a town which he renamed Cliff Town, after the nearby cliffs on the Little Miami River. The name was eventually shortened to Clifton. Because of the number of mills and its location along the Springfield-Cincinnati stagecoach trail, Clifton grew rapidly, at one time housing a blacksmith shop, butcher shop, two churches, a school, hotel, two grocers and multiple weavers, shoemakers, and even paper-makers.
Isaac Funk, co-founder of Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia was born in Clifton as was the illustrious Woody Hayes, coach of the Ohio State University Buckeye football team for 28 seasons.
Today, the village of Clifton is not only home to the mill complex, but also home to the Clifton Opera House featuring live music most weekends. Buildings that once housed blacksmiths and wheelwrights are now mainly private residences; sprinkled in are an antiques shop, bed & breakfast, and diner. The sleepy little village is a great place to stroll after a meal in the mill’s restaurant.
For the outdoor lover, there’s 752-acre John Bryan State Park. Its centerpiece is the Little Miami River (a state and national scenic river and national natural landmark) that etched the limestone gorge on which the mill sits.
Adjacent to John Bryan State Park is 268-acre Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve. There, the gorge is pronounced and the Little Miami crashes spectacularly over falls and rapids. Hikers can enjoy three trails dotted with observation platforms and interpretative markers: the Gorge Trail descends one mile to the river and follows the gorge downstream to John Bryan State Park. The Rim Trail, also one mile, traverses the rim of the gorge along a similar route. The Narrows Trail goes a half-mile along the gorge’s rim along its narrowest point where you can view some of the river’s most spectacular flows. Rock climbing is prohibited in both parks.
Virtually next door to Clifton is John Bryan State Park offering a total of 61 sites, 9 with electricity and 52 non-electric. Latrines, drinking water, and a dump station are available.
Less than 8 miles from Clifton is REI Lakes with 50 RV-only sites. They are big-rig friendly with full hookups and 50-amp electric. The park is pet-friendly and offers seasonal fishing at their onsite lakes.
Further north (about 20 miles) in Fletcher, you will find Poor Farmer’s RV Campground accommodating in amenities as well as RV sales. They happen to be the largest Coachmen RV Dealer in the Miami County if this may interest you. There are over 500 sites nestled in a 350 acre country setting.
The Christmas light celebration starts the day after Thanksgiving and runs nightly through December 30. Gates open at 5 PM weekdays; 6 PM weekends. Lights come on at 6 PM.
Admission is $10 per person. Children 3 and under are free. Visitors and management suggest going on a weeknight if possible to avoid the large weekend crowds.