1886 Crescent Hotel Owners Purchase War Eagle Mill in Rogers, Arkansas

March 12, 2005 (Press Release) -- (EUREKA SPRINGS, AR) – ROGERS, AR – October 1, 2004. Zoe and Charles Caywood, owners of the acclaimed historic War Eagle Mill, announced today that they had agreed to sell the Mill to the owners of the Crescent Hotel & Spa and Basin Park Hotel in Eureka Springs, Elise and Martin Roenigk. "As most may be aware, Elise and I have a passion to ensure that the historic assets of Northwest Arkansas are preserved, protected and integrated into our way of life today. The War Eagle Mill is ideal for this mission as it is a wonderful piece of Americana, it serves as the centerpiece of the protected Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area, and continues today as a fully operational grist mill and major regional tourist attraction. The Roenigk's may be most well known as the owners and restorers of the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, yet have also protected the 1905 Basin Park Hotel, the 1890 Victorian Manor, a 1950's home on the historic loop (later granted to the Writer’s Colony At Dairy Hollow) and a 1225 acre nature preserve adjacent to the Ozark National Forest.
“After 31 years of grain milling, creating products, gift lines, writing hundreds of recipes, and ten cookbooks, I am thrilled to have my business being carried forward. I am confident that the integrity of the War Eagle Mill, itself, will be preserved because it means so much to so many people. Dad had the dream to preserve the history of grist milling, and Charlie and I, along with family, friends, and dedicated co-workers, carried it to fruition. I want to ensure our loyal customer base that the Mill will still be providing the same high quality grains. ,” said Zoe Caywood.
The Roenigks plan to maintain the quality of the War Eagle Mill as a prime tourist attraction, and to significantly expand the distribution of the War Eagle Mill whole grain products and related healthy and organic spreads, salad dressings and other food products. “This is going to become a missionary effort for us” said Roenigk. Already, we have initialized cooperative efforts at both of our historic hotels, and it will not be long before products are available throughout the hotels. Breakfast and lunch menus will be re-written around War Eagle products. A Friday night War Eagle Fish Fry on the Balcony Restaurant of the Basin Park Hotel will feature the Ensley Fish Fry Coating Mix and War Eagle Hush Puppies,” said Roenigk.
The War Eagle Mill, situated on the banks of the War Eagle River off of Scenic Hwy 12 outside Rogers, AR, was reconstructed from the 1838 original by Zoe Leta Caywood and her parents, Jewell and Leta Medlin, in 1973. It