NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/440846
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015 • NEBRASKAland 21 In 1919 a last attempt was made to harness water power. A new flume and penstock were built and the river restored to its main channel. However the flood of 1920 again diverted the river and the mill abandoned water power, relying thereafter on diesel and later electrical power. Finding it increasingly difficult to operate two separate businesses, the mill company sold the light plant and electrical operation to a power company. Under Spirk's management the Neligh mill survived the hard times of the 1920s and the Great Depression of the 1930s, both of which forced many Nebraska mills out of business. In 1930 the mill was granted state and federal licenses to become a terminal warehouse grain storage facility. In September of 1938 the S. F. Gilman Mill Company came to an end, and the Neligh Mill was incorporated with J. W. Spirk as president. World War II brought an increase in flour production, but never again to the 1900-1915 levels. With an antiquated milling plant and rising competition from larger milling companies, the mill ceased to grind flour in the 1950s. Although the Neligh Mill stopped producing wheat flour, none of the flour grinding and processing machinery was removed. The mill remained in business as a grain storage facility. It also continued to mix pancake flour and grind, mix and sell livestock feeds. In 1954 a plant was installed to mix molasses with feed for local cattle producers. But the glory days of the old mill were over. As time passed, the mill declined as a functioning business. During the early 1960s the grain elevators were sold off; all that remained of the Neligh Mill Company was the small office building and a silent milling plant. But local interest grew to preserve what was an important part of the town's prosperity and pride. In 1970 long-time employees Jay Ames and Adina Vidstedt, who purchased the mill company after Sprik's death in 1947, sold the property to the Nebraska State Historical Society. In 1975 the Society opened the renovated mill to the public as one of its historic sites. Visitors to the mill can visit the office building and view displays in the 1886 warehouse and 1915 light plant. But when they enter the mill proper, they will see the milling plant looking the same as it did to William Gallaway, P. D. Thompson and Joe Spirk well over a century earlier, with roller stands, flour packers and elevators to move grain and flour to shifters on the second and third floors. In the basement, huge drive shafts with pulleys and leather belts powered all the machinery above. On the outside a 1922 boxcar stands on the railroad siding below the towering wheat and corn elevators. Toward the river below the reconstructed flume and penstock housing a 64-inch turbine can be seen. The Neligh Mill is the best example of a 19th century roller flour mill remaining in the state. It also symbolizes an industry that once brought prosperity to a developing Nebraska. ■ Tom Buecker was curator at the Fort Robinson Museum for 26 years. Prior to that he spent eight years at the Neligh Mill State Historical Site. He now lives in Lincoln and works at the Nebraska History Museum. High water in 1914, during the last years of water power use. NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, N418.9-95 NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, N418.9-26