Keeping Sheridan’s History Alive at the Mill Inn

For more than a century, the tall brick building along Coffeen Avenue has stood as a familiar Sheridan landmark.

It was once filled with the sounds of machinery, workers and grain being transformed into flour. Today, the historic building welcomes travelers as the Mill Inn, but its original character and the stories of those who came before remain an important part of every guest’s experience.

During a recent visit with Mill Inn owner Karen Moody and manager Shyda May, it quickly became clear that the Mill Inn is more than a lodging business. It is a place shaped by history, community and the people who have worked to keep its story alive.

From Flour Mill to Sheridan Landmark

The building’s story began after Sheridan’s original downtown flour mill was destroyed by fire in 1919. A much larger and more modern mill was then constructed on Coffeen Avenue.

Completed around 1920, the six-level facility became one of Wyoming’s most significant milling operations. Wheat arrived from farms across northern Wyoming and southern Montana, providing area growers with an important market for their crops.

At its height, the mill could produce as many as 1,000 barrels of flour each day. Products bearing names such as “Pride of Sheridan” and “Best Out West” were shipped throughout the United States and beyond.

The mill was more than a building. It provided jobs, supported agricultural families and connected Sheridan to communities and markets far beyond the Bighorn Mountains.

Milling operations eventually ended in 1974. A few years later, portions of the building were converted into a motel, giving the landmark a new opportunity to serve people.

A Family Takes on the Mill

When Karen and Torrey Moody became involved with the property in the early 1990s, the old mill required substantial care and repairs.

Taking on a building of that age and size was no small undertaking. Historic structures carry beauty and character, but they also require patience, investment and a willingness to solve problems that newer buildings rarely present.

The Moody family chose to see the building’s potential.

They worked to improve the guest rooms, repair the property and preserve the details that made the former flour mill special. Rather than covering up its history, they made that history part of the Mill Inn’s identity.

Old photographs displayed throughout the building help visitors understand what the mill once looked like and how it shaped the community. Regional furnishings and artifacts provide additional connections to Sheridan’s past.

These details make a stay at the Mill Inn feel different. Guests are not simply entering another hotel. They are stepping inside a living piece of local history.

The People Behind the Building

Historic architecture may first catch someone’s attention, but it is the people inside who make a place feel welcoming.

Karen’s connection to the Mill Inn reflects years of family commitment and stewardship. Preserving such an important property requires more than maintaining rooms and accepting reservations. It means caring for a building that holds memories for generations of Sheridan County residents.

Manager Shyda May also plays an important role in the Mill Inn’s daily life. Her years of experience provide consistency and familiarity for both guests and the people who work there.

Together, Karen, Shyda and the Mill Inn staff balance two responsibilities: protecting the character of the historic property while providing the comfort and service modern travelers expect.

Their work keeps the building from becoming only a monument to the past. It remains active, useful and filled with people.

A Community Story

The Mill Inn’s history belongs not only to its owners, but also to the Sheridan community.

Local families remember relatives who worked at the mill, hauled grain or depended on it as a market for their wheat. Others remember when the building was still an active part of Sheridan’s agricultural economy.

Over the years, community members have helped preserve those memories by sharing photographs, information and artifacts. Each contribution adds another piece to the larger story.

That community connection can be felt throughout the property. The Mill Inn does not attempt to recreate Wyoming history through decoration. It preserves the authentic history already present within its walls.

Giving an Old Building New Purpose

The Mill Inn is an example of what can happen when people look at an aging building and see possibility instead of inconvenience.

For decades, the structure helped turn locally grown wheat into flour that traveled around the world. Today, it welcomes people traveling to and through Sheridan.

Its purpose has changed, but its ability to serve others has remained.

Through the dedication of the Moody family, the leadership of Shyda May and the support of the Sheridan community, the Mill Inn continues to be more than a place to spend the night.

It is a reminder of the workers who once filled its floors, the farmers whose wheat passed through its machinery and the families who helped build Sheridan.

The machines may be silent now, but the building’s story continues and each person who walks through its doors becomes a small part of it.

To learn more about the Mill Inn, explore its history or reserve a room, visit SheridanMillInn.com.

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