In 1858, pioneer Larson discovered a natural waterfall while hunting and trapping three miles upriver from Nest Lake. In 1859, he established a camp near the falls but abandoned it after his tent and most of his gear burned. In 1862, Larson and his partner Samuel Stoner built a cabin and made plans for a dam and mill, and millwright Charles Sperry began construction, but on August 17th the Sioux Indian War broke out and they fled to safety. In 1863, Larson and Stoner returned to the washed-out site after the Sioux Uprising ended. In 1864, the two pioneers rebuilt the dam and completed a saw mill. In 1865, Samuel Stoner sold his share to William Bissett. In 1866, the dam washed out again, Bissett sold his share to C.J. Sperry and William Wright, and Louis Larson sold half of his share to Samuel Adams. In 1867, the new company rebuilt the dam and added a grist mill operated by three pair of donkeys. In 1870, Wright sold his share to Adams. In 1882, after Adams died, his wife sold her share to merchants Harold Swenson and Peter Broberg. In 1892, Marcus Johnson and W.J. Pinney purchased the mill, and pioneer Louis Larson retired. By 1897, the New London Milling Company flourished, and its main product, Supremo Flour, was exported to domestic and foreign markets. In 1939, the New London Mill was sold and demolished to make room for the Federal Fish Hatchery. In 2011, the Minnesota DNR constructed the new dam.