Provo Woolen Mills

For a time, the biggest woolen mill west of the Mississippi ran on Provo's water and Provo's sheep. Built in 1870–72 at a cost of $155,000, the Provo Woolen Factory rose four stories in stone, swallowing an 1867 courthouse and John Taylor's flour mill into its plant as it grew. It spun and wove Utah wool into cloth, dyed its first bolt in 1873, and paid its workers in factory scrip good at the company's own store. Jesse Knight bought the mills in 1910 and kept them running until 1932, when the machinery finally went quiet.

What the plaque says

In 1870-72, four rods north of this site, Provo Woolen Factory was built at a cost of $155,000. Main building was stone, 65 x 145 ft., 4 stories high; another was 33 x 134 ft., 2 1/2 stories. A county court house built on this block in 1867 and John Taylor’s Flour Mill became part of the plant. These properties, workmen, and materials were obtained by issuing stock. Machinery installed costing $75,000. Employees were paid in factory scrip. First cloth dyed by H.B. Smart, produced in 1873. It was the largest manufacturer of woolen fabrics west of Mississippi River. Jesse Knight purchased the mills in 1910 and operation continued until 1932.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Bridal Veil Falls — 7.8 mi
  A dramatic double waterfall cascading 607 feet into Provo Canyon
• Sundance Mountain Resort — 12 mi
  Robert Redford's intimate, arts-minded ski resort on the slopes of Mount Timpanogos, in the North Fork of Provo Canyon.
• Aspen Grove — 12 mi
  The mountain-base trailhead for Mount Timpanogos and Stewart Falls
• Alpine Loop Summit — 12 mi
  The 8,000-foot high point of the Alpine Loop, face to face with Mount Timpanogos

More markers nearby

• The Knight Block — steps away
• Old Tabernacle Lintel Stone — steps away
• Brigham Young Academy — steps away
• The American Family — 0.2 mi