Florence Mill (Omaha, Nebraska)
Encyclopedia
Florence Mill, also known as the Weber Mill, is located at 9102 North 30th Street near the 30th Street exit on Interstate 680
in the Florence
community in North Omaha, Nebraska
. It was built in 1846 and operated into the 1960s. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
as Weber Mill in 1998. The mill is also known as the Mormon Mill, Grist Mill, and Old Pink Mill.
supervised construction by the Mormon pioneers of Winter Quarters
in 1846. The Florence Mill is the only surviving building to have been built by the Mormons. The settlers needed a mill to grind corn, wheat, and rye to create cornmeal and flour products. Constructed next to Turkey Creek, later called Mill Creek, which flowed into the Missouri River, the original structure was deserted in 1846. A new mill was built in 1847 at the cost of $3000. Brigham Young sold this mill to John Neff, who deserted it when he moved to Salt Lake City.
Alexander Hunter began operating the Mill in 1856, helping to fill the demands of the new town of Florence, founded in 1854 on the old site of Winter Quarters. He tore down the original mill, reusing some of the good timbers to build a new mill.
industry between the last half of the nineteenth century into the twentieth century. The Weber's business was long considered to be the longest operating business in Nebraska.
Omaha billionaire Warren Buffett
has been involved in a drive to renovate the structure.
Interstate 680
Interstate 680 may refer to:*Interstate 680 , a connecting freeway between I-80 and I-280 in the San Francisco Bay Area, California*Interstate 680 , a bypass in Omaha, Nebraska*Interstate 680 , a loop through Youngstown, Ohio...
in the Florence
Florence, Nebraska
Florence is a neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska on the city's north end and originally one of the oldest cities in Nebraska. It was incorporated by the Nebraska Territorial Legislature on March 10, 1857. The site of Winter Quarters for Mormon migrants traveling west, it has the oldest cemetery for...
community in North Omaha, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. It was built in 1846 and operated into the 1960s. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as Weber Mill in 1998. The mill is also known as the Mormon Mill, Grist Mill, and Old Pink Mill.
History
Brigham YoungBrigham Young
Brigham Young was an American leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and a settler of the Western United States. He was the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1847 until his death in 1877, he founded Salt Lake City, and he served as the first governor of the Utah...
supervised construction by the Mormon pioneers of Winter Quarters
Winter Quarters, Nebraska
Winter Quarters was an encampment formed by approximately 2,500 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as they waited during the winter of 1846–47 for better conditions for their trek westward. It followed a preliminary tent settlement some 3½ miles west at Cutler's Park. The...
in 1846. The Florence Mill is the only surviving building to have been built by the Mormons. The settlers needed a mill to grind corn, wheat, and rye to create cornmeal and flour products. Constructed next to Turkey Creek, later called Mill Creek, which flowed into the Missouri River, the original structure was deserted in 1846. A new mill was built in 1847 at the cost of $3000. Brigham Young sold this mill to John Neff, who deserted it when he moved to Salt Lake City.
Alexander Hunter began operating the Mill in 1856, helping to fill the demands of the new town of Florence, founded in 1854 on the old site of Winter Quarters. He tore down the original mill, reusing some of the good timbers to build a new mill.
Weber family
Jacob Weber acquired the Mill around 1870, replacing water-powered machinery with new steam-powered equipment. The Weber family operated the Florence Mill continuously for over 104 years, contributing to the development of the millingMill (grinding)
A grinding mill is a unit operation designed to break a solid material into smaller pieces. There are many different types of grinding mills and many types of materials processed in them. Historically mills were powered by hand , working animal , wind or water...
industry between the last half of the nineteenth century into the twentieth century. The Weber's business was long considered to be the longest operating business in Nebraska.
Winter Quarters Mill Museum and ArtLoft Gallery
Today the Mill is operated as the Winter Quarters Mill Museum and ArtLoft Gallery. The museum features pioneer-era historic photos, newspaper clippings and artifacts.Omaha billionaire Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett
Warren Edward Buffett is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful investors in the world. Often introduced as "legendary investor, Warren Buffett", he is the primary shareholder, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. He is...
has been involved in a drive to renovate the structure.
External links
- Florence Mill - official site, includes museum information
- 1920s picture of the Florence Mill.
- Florence Mill Chronology. HistoricFlorence.Com
