The Old Mill Cafe

The Old Mill Cafe

Built in 1924, the the Old Mill Cafe has weathered the depression, floods and countless Tidewater Southern trains rattling its rafters a mere 10 feet from the cafe's side windows.

According to locals, the building was originally erected as a blacksmith shop (remember, this is an ag center), then was used as a Railway Express Agency office before being purchased and converted to an eatery.

The food was pretty basic fare, serving a decent burgers and a mean grilled cheese sandwich. And all for a modest price. Plus, with the Southern Pacific/Union Pacific main line just one block over, you can't beat the view!

Unfortunately, the Old Mill Cafe's fate was tied to the trains that passed it. Like the tracks embedded in the Ninth Street pavement, the Old Mill building is scheduled for removal. The City Of Modesto will begin it's Needham Avenue Overpass Project, an ambitious effort to relieve the traffic congestion caused by the constant parade of UP freight trains through the heart of the downtown district. Once constructed, the new overpass will cross over Ninth Street, and the UP mainline at Kansas Avenue. (see map below)

Unfortunately, the Old Mill building is in the way, and is slated to be razed to make room for progress!

In 2001 the Old Mill Cafe moved to new digs further south on McHenry Ave, paid for by the City Of Modesto. While the atmosphere is not as cool, there is much more room - and the food is quite good.

The Old Mill Cafe is wedged in between two streets and the Tidewater Southern tracks, making for a very tight fit. Inside, the kitchen and counter area take up as much space as the booths that line the windows.

(Below) WP 2009 prepares to negotiate Ninth Street with a local from Stockton in 1981. Altamont Press founder Rob Carlson waves to the brakeman along ith his daughter Heather.

(Both photos: Ken Rattenne)

Map of downtown Modesto shows where the new overpass will be constructed, resulting in the destruction of the Old Mill Cafe. The boxed-in area shows the part of Modesto's downtown district that will be affected by the proposed Needham Street overpass. The Old Mill will not be the only casualty of this project.