Smoky Valley Roller Mill, Lindsborg

Smoky Valley Roller Mill.

Mill interior. Photo courtesy Old Mill Museum.

Guided tours are offered at the mill. Photo courtesy Old Mill Museum.

Mill interior. Photo courtesy Old Mill Museum.
Address:
120 Mill Street, Lindsborg, KS 67456
[map this location]
Phone:
785.227.3595
Website:
oldmillmuseum.org
The
Smoky Valley Roller Mill is a finalist for the 8 wonders of Kansas History
because it is the oldest operational roller (flour) mill in the Midwest and the
only one with all of its original equipment in place.

This mill represents the transition to modern milling (the change from grinding with stones to grinding with corrugated chilled iron rolls) in Kansas and the United States. This transition took place very quickly in our state. The mills in Kansas played a large role in securing Kansas's place as a leading producer of flour as well as wheat. Millers in central Kansas were among the earliest to endorse hard winter wheat flour. This mill reflects the craftsmanship and technologies of the late 19th century that continued into the 20th century. The steps for producing flour have not changed. Today's mills simply use an updated version of the machines in the Smoky Valley Roller Mill. At the time this mill was built, almost 500 mills were in operation across the state. Now there are about a dozen. Few historic mills have survived. The Smoky Valley Roller Mill is a rare exception.
The mill is open daily except major holidays. Guided tours are given on request and an audio-tape guide and video are available. The mill operates (without grain) once a year during the museum's Millfest event, the first weekend in May. During that weekend alone, about one thousand people tour the mill to learn how wheat was, and is, made into flour. Professional millers and trained volunteers donate their time to supervise operations and guide tours.

OPEN: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holidays. Admission fee is adults $2; children 6-12 $1.
2010 MILLFEST: Saturday, May 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 12-5 p.m. See the 1898 flour mill in operation (must be at least 13 years old to be in the mill when it is operating. Viewing areas are provided for younger children).
Source: Lorna Nelson's nomination
Photos courtesy Old Mill Museum
978 Arapaho Rd.
Inman, KS 67546
Phone: 620-585-2374
Phone: 620-585-2374