De Drie Koornbloemen was the first malt mill in 43 years to be built at the request of a "Compagnieschap van interesseden" (Company of Interested Parties), or distillers: businessmen involved in the gin industry, something Schiedam was (and still is) known for.
The mill didn't grind for these (then 18) distillers for very long, as it became a "bakers' mill" as early as 1814.
A major renovation followed in 1844: the millstones were moved to a higher attic and expanded to four. Two hulling stones were also added, which, at least until 1917, were primarily used for hulling rice. All this was commissioned by Willem Kouwenhoven, who became the owner on March 12, 1831. He was also the one who, probably in 1832, built a dwelling in the mill and had a small house built adjoining it. The side wall of an adjacent building belonging to the Vlaardinger Poort and the connecting wall between the mill and the gate were used, giving the house a somewhat unusual appearance. Building one wall and a roof was sufficient. Large windows were also added to the body of the mill. Besides grinding and peeling, the mill was also used for sawing mahogany.
De Drie Koornbloemen is the oldest distillation mill in Schiedam.