Swany White Flour Mills

Swany White Flour Mills is a small flour mill in Freeport, Minnesota. The miller is Gary Thelen, and the mill has been owned by the Thelen family since 1903.^[2] The mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as "Freeport Roller Mill and Miller's House".^[1][3] On Tuesday, December 27, 2011, a fire destroyed the 114 year old mill. The mill was a total loss.

History

The mill has operated continuously at the same location since 1903, although according to Stearns County the mill dates to 1898.^[4] Swany White Flour Mills has been owned by the Thelen family from its inception. When It was first built It was powered by steam, and in 1966 it was converted to electricity.

Swany White Mill Burnt down on December 27, 2011. it took over 5 surrounding fire agency's to put out the blaze. The fire was reported at 4:48 P.M. by an employee. That night, people gathered all around to watched this Historic building burn while holding hands and crying.

The mill was destroyed by fire on December 27, 2011. ^[5][6]

Production

For white flour, Swany White has used the same milling equipment since 1913. It has a milling capacity of about 1,000 pounds (450 kg) per hour, or 12,000 lb (5,400 kg) per business day.^[7] This is a fraction of the milling capacity of most mills. It is notable that Swany White Flour has continued to operate as a small independent while most other small regional producers have either given up or sold out.

For its conventional products, the mill has a commercial presence mainly in the Upper Midwest, however its organic products are distributed more widely.^[7] In addition to sales to distributors and retailers, Swany White has a retail outlet at the mill in Freeport. The mill's most popular product is a bleached flour sold under the brand name Faith's Best, which accounts for about 60% of all sales.^[7]

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html. 
2. ^ Keillor, Garrison (December). "In Search of Lake Wobegon". National Geographic 198 (6–): 98 
3. ^ "Stearns County Multiple Resource Area". National Park Service. http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/64000379.pdf. Retrieved 2008-04-03. 
4. ^ Stearns Pg.12-13 resend.eps
5. ^ http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/901775b031cd49f1881199fbdd19eae1/MN--Mill-Fire-Freeport/
6. ^ http://www.sctimes.com/article/20111228/NEWS01/112270034/Fire-destroys-iconic-Freeport-flour-mill?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Umbrella
7. ^ ^{a b c} Honest Weight Food Coop