Although a flour mill was planned for the Kiel community as early as circa 1860, it was not to come to fruition until over two decades later. German-born William Meyer, who received his early training and experience at mills in both Cedarburg and Thiensville, eventually came to Kiel in 1882. Purchasing property along the Sheboygan River, he built the city’s first and only water-powered flouring mill in 1883. That same year, he erected a home for his family that still stands across the street.

Although wheat production statewide was beginning to decline as of the 1880s, Manitowoc County was still among the leaders in the state as of 1890, ranking 5th out of all seventy-two counties. By no later than 1893, Meyer began grinding feed for livestock and, the following year, he built a powerhouse to accommodate the machinery required for steam power. Although the new wing suffered a fire in 1897, it was immediately rebuilt. In 1901, Meyer sold the mill to the Kiel Grain and Milling Company, the firm of which included his son Henry, along with three other prominent Kiel residents. A brick chimney for coal power was added in 1902. The mill changed hands twice before it would be purchased by Harry and Walter Klemme in 1919 and 1920, respectively. During their ownership (which lasted until 1953), the mill was converted from steam to electrical power and the warehouse wing was added to the west, using timbers from the former German Reformed Church building that served as the warehouse since 1889.

The mill functioned as a feed mill until circa 1981, after which it housed the local Salvation Army and a woodworking shop. After a few failed attempts at restoring the mill for commercial use, the building stood largely vacant for the last twenty years. The building is currently (2020) under restoration, with the warehouse wing anticipated for use as a residence, while the mill proper will serve the community as a yet-to-be-determined function.