The Beaver Crossing Mill

John Henry Waterman's General History of Seward County, published in 1916, follows the mill after its founding. He credits Smith and Ingles with building it in 1871 and says William J. Thompson ran it for several years, a miller who was elected to the legislature and refused to serve because he could not afford to leave his business. Later owners included J. F. M. Dimery and George Winand. Dimery bought it back and let it fall idle, then sold it to John Martin, who repaired it, and in 1916 his son Robert was the miller.

What the plaque says

The Beaver Crossing Mill This millstone is believed to be from the gristmill built by William Smith in 1871 on the Big Blue River south of Beaver Crossing. W. J. Thompson took over the mill in 1873. It continued to operate until 1917. Gristmills were an essential industry for the settlement of Nebraska, processing locally- grown grain into flour, cornmeal, and feed. There may have been as many as 160 water- powered mills in Nebraska in 1890, before their numbers began to decline. Beaver Crossing Chamber of Commerce Nebraska State Historical Society

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Beaver Crossing, Nebraska — steps away
• Tall Grass Prairie — 6.4 mi
• The Big Blue River — 12 mi
• Standing Bear and the Ponca Tribe — 12 mi