Florence Mill (Omaha, Nebraska)

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Weber Mill
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Florence Mill (Omaha, Nebraska) (Nebraska)
Florence Mill (Omaha, Nebraska)
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Coordinates: 41°20′37.34″N 95°57′41.01″W / 41.3437056, -95.9613917Coordinates: 41°20′37.34″N 95°57′41.01″W / 41.3437056, -95.9613917
Built/Founded: 1856
Architectural style(s): No Style Listed
Added to NRHP: December 31, 1998
NRHP Reference#: 98001568

[1]
Governing body: Private

Florence Mill, also known as the Weber Mill, is located at 9102 North 30th Street near the 30th Street exit on Interstate 680 in the Florence community in North Omaha, Nebraska. It was built in 1846 and operated into the 1960s.[2] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Weber Mill in 1998.[3]

Contents

[edit] History

Brigham Young supervised construction by the Mormon pioneers of nearby Winter Quarters, and today it is reportedly the only surviving building to have been built by the Mormons.[4] The settlers needed a mill to grind corn, wheat, and rye to create cornmeal and flour products. Constructed next to Turkey Creek, later called Mill Creek, which flowed into the Missouri River, the original structure was deserted in 1846. A new mill was built in 1847 at the cost of $3000. Brigham Young sold this mill to John Neff, who deserted it when he moved to Salt Lake City.[5]

Alexander Hunter began operating the Mill in 1856, helping to fill the demands of the new town of Florence, founded in 1854 on the old site of Winter Quarters. He tore down the original mill, reusing some of the good timbers to build a new mill.[6]

[edit] Weber family

Jacob Weber acquired the Mill around 1870, replacing water-powered machinery with new steam-powered equipment. The Weber family operated the Florence Mill continuously for over 104 years, contributing to the development of the milling industry between the last half of the nineteenth century into the twentieth century. The Weber's business was long considered to be the longest operating business in Nebraska.[7]

[edit] Currently

Today the Mill is operated as a museum and art loft.[8] Omaha billionaire Warren Buffett has been involved in a drive to renovate the structure.[9]

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
  2. ^ (nd) Florence Mill. Historic Florence website. Retrieved 6/6/07.
  3. ^ (1998) National Register of Historic Places Listings. National Park Service. Retrieved 6/6/07.
  4. ^ (nd) A Look Inside Florence Mill. HistoricOmaha.com. Retrieved 6/6/07.
  5. ^ (nd) Grist Mill: Florence Mill During the Mormon Period. HistoricFlorence.Com. Retrieved 6/6/07.
  6. ^ (nd) Around Florence: Florence Mill. AllAboutOmaha.Net. Retrieved 6/6/07.
  7. ^ (2007) More Nebraska National Register Sites in Douglas County: Weber Mill. Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 6/7/07.
  8. ^ Moreland, D. (2006) Exhibit a mother’s tribute to son The Creightonian Online. Retrieved 6/6/07.
  9. ^ Minge, J. (nd) To give is devine: Buffett’s Philanthropy spreads to the Florence Mill. City Weekly. Retrieved 6/6/07.
Landmarks in Florence, Nebraska

Bank of Florence • Florence Depot • Florence Firehouse • Florence Mill • Florence School • Keirle House • Old People's Home • Mormon Ferry Tollhouse • Mormon Pioneer Cemetery • Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge • Notre Dame Academy and Convent • Potter's Field Cemetery • Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple
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