The Al-Mir Flour Mill, situated in Yarkon National Park near the Yarkon river, represents a significant historical and agricultural landmark. Operating during the Ottoman period, it bears the name of the nearby 19th-century Arab village Mir. The mill was part of a complex water management system, with an ancient dam diverting river water to it, highlighting its importance in local agriculture.
The surrounding area, once the site of the village of al-Mirr, holds a rich historical narrative. Established during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II (1808-1839), al-Mirr was located on the southern bank of the Al-'Awja River. Notable for its enduring structures, including a Turkish bridge, the village's history is traced back to the late Roman or early Byzantine period, with the mill and dam existing since these times. These structures were repaired in the Crusader era and were operational in the Mamluk period, as evidenced by 14th-century coins found during excavations.
The tumultuous events leading to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war significantly impacted al-Mirr. On February 3, 1948 at the time of civil war in British Palestine, its inhabitants, fearing Jewish attacks after some civilian Jewish transports were attacked by Arabs in several places in Palestine, abandoned the village. Some briefly returned on February 15, only to permanently flee a month later. This exodus of al-Mirr's inhabitants was part of the larger 1948 Palestinian exodus, on which about 700,000 Palestinian Arabs left their villages fearing retribution for atrocities and pogroms against Jews, or as later claimed, under the pressure of the Jewish army. An undeniable and important fact to note is the expulsion of about a million Jews from Arab countries following the proclamation of Israel and the establishment of independence. The causes and consequences of the Palestine Israeli war of 1948, including the abandoning villages like al-Mirr, continue to be subjects of historical debate and are integral to understanding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hiking along the Yarkon River in central Israel, from Petah Tikva to the old railway station in Rosh HaAyin, offers a picturesque and historically rich experience. This trail winds through scenic fields and orange groves, unveiling unique moments of both history and nature. Key attractions along the route include old mills, the concrete house, Kfar Baptistim, and two national parks: the Yarkon River Sources and Tel Afek Antipatris. Along the trail, there are two rest areas for hikers to relax and enjoy the region's inspiring natural beauty and captivating stories.