The mill is one of the largest water powered grist mills still in existence. A first mill was built in 1802 by Owen Davis. The location where the mill was built could benefited from the consistent supply of water, a natural supply abundant in the region. as a matter of fact, the Little Miami River powered other five mills in the vicinity: a woolen mill, saw mill, paper mill, barrel mill and another grist mill. The Clifton Mill is today open to the public, and it is the only one standing.