Historical marker placed at Grunkemeyer Cane Mill

Placed on Cane Mill Road in St. Mary's

(ST. MARY’S, Ind.) – Seven generations of the same family came together to unveil a historical marker in Franklin County this weekend. 

The Grunkemeyer family gathered to share stories and reflect on growing up around Cane Mill, which is located on Cane Mill Road in the St. Mary’s area. 

For those unfamiliar, Cane Mill was an sorghum molasses operation that turned sugarcane into molasses, which can be eaten or used in various baked goods.

Here is the background on the mill: 

Bernard and Mary Grunkemeyer operated a grocery store on what is now Cane Mill Road in the 1850’s. 

By 1861, Bernard closed the grocery store and opened Cane Mill to make sorghum molasses. 

“The original mill was out in the open with just a shelter over the furnace and evaporator pan. The cane stalk press was operated by a horse turning the gears,” the family said. 

The mill was operated by Bernand and his two sons, Joseph and John, for several years until Bernard passed away in 1922.

It was eventually operated by Joe's son, Leonard, with the help of Clarence Grunkemeyer and their cousin John Wallpe.

Leonard led it for many more years including during World War II. They would have farmers bring sorghum to the mill, which was a vital substitute for sugar. 

“Since sugar was rationed during World War II they also made hundreds of gallons of molasses from sorghum [that farmers] grew on their farm,” the family said. 

During the next several decades, the number of people growing their own sugarcane declined as Leonard continued growing his own and selling retail molasses.

“The cane was planted in various areas on the farm to prevent the entire crop from being

destroyed by wind,” according to the family. 

Family members say the light-colored molasses was considered some of the best tasting in the region, which attracted customers from as far away as Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee. 

A suspected arson fire broke out at the mill in August of 1978. The suspects threw a gasoline bomb into the barn and it was completely destroyed.

Luckily, the cane press was outside of the building and not harmed. 

However, due to this happening during the busy time of year, Leonard had to quickly construct a new metal building and also buy a new evaporator pan. 

“The metal building was adequate, but even with lots of windows, the steam from the juice evaporating made it very humid and hot.  The long furnace was partially damaged and required a lot of repair,” the family said. 

Leonard Grunkemeyer retired from sorghum molasses making in 1985.  He sold the press, evaporator pan, juice tanks, skimmers, strainers and other wooden tools to Kenneth and Jim Pumphrey in Greensburg. 

The family believes the Pumpfrey's may still be making molasses with that same evaporator pan today.

There is no longer a building at Cane Mill and the farm is now owned by another family, who allowed the historical marker to be installed. 

Here are some photos of Cane Mill when it was in operation. (Provided by the Grunkemeyer family):

Leonard’s family has many fond memories of 'helping' at the Cane Mill but mostly of just watching him turn out the best  pure sorghum molasses made in the Tri-State area.

"I remember lots of cans with molasses in our house in the fall that Papa filled gallon and quart jars for sale.  Also remember the saying at our house "slow as molasses in January" since sometimes he would still have some to sell and cold molasses pours very slowly," Mary Beth O'Rourke laughed.

You can read the complete history of Cane Mill here:

Grunkemeyer Cane Mill - History (1).pdf

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