Champion Water-Powered Mill

Champion S. Chase, namesake of both county and town, was born in Cornish, New Hampshire, in 1820 and named for his maternal grandfather, Champion Spalding. He practiced law in Racine, Wisconsin, sat in the state senate and was a delegate to the first Republican National Convention in 1856. In 1862 his cousin Salmon P. Chase, then Secretary of the Treasury, helped make him an Army paymaster with the rank of major. Settling in Omaha in 1866, he became the state's first attorney general, was three times Omaha's mayor between 1874 and 1884, and died there in 1898.

What the plaque says

Champion Water-Powered Mill Champion, on the Frenchman River, is the site of probably the oldest functioning water-powered mill in Nebraska. Preliminary construction on the mill was begun in the fall of 1886. The work was completed and the mill placed in operation by late 1888. The original mill burned in the early 1890's, but was soon rebuilt. It has remained in use since that time. The construction of flour mills reflected Chase County's transition from ranching to farming. Dominated by ranching in its early years, the county saw a heavy influx of farmers after 1885. The construction of mills symbolized the new dominance of farming. Chase County was formally organized in 1886, Imperial remained the county seat through three elections, although Champion sought support because of its advantageous location on the Frenchman River. Chase County was named for Champion S. Chase, Nebraska's first Attorney-General. Originally known as Hamilton, the town of Champion was renamed in honor of the same Champion S. Chase in 1887. Chase County Historical Society Historical Land Mark Council

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Champion Mill — steps away
  A water-powered flour and feed mill on Frenchman Creek, running on creek water since 1888 and rebuilt after an 1891 fire, beside a creek that irrigation wells have drawn down.

More markers nearby

• Prisoners of War in Dundy County — 23 mi