Let's explore Topaz Mill. We'll watch this 1894 operating water powered grist mill grind corn.

Nestled on the banks of the Norfolk river in Douglas County sits a beautiful, red, water powered mill. Topaz Mill was built in 1895 and primarily ground corn until 1902 when the mill received the equipment to fully refine wheat. The mill is powered by a spring that produces an average of 10 million gallons of water daily. The crystal clear water follows a rock lined race to power a turbine at the bottom of a Penn Stock made from an old boiler tube. The mill is said to be able to produce 30 barrels of wheat a day. Many mills of the day were dual purpose, meaning you could get corn or wheat ground at the mill. Topaz Mill had a unique side business too. While having your crops ground, you could also get your hair cut in a small barber shop inside the mill. Momma would be next door in the general store while dad and the kids got a much needed hair cut.
Our adventure today includes both a tour of the mill and a look inside the frozen time capsule, left just as it was the day it closed, general store. We will look at the 14' deep crystal clear spring and enjoy a day deep in the Ozark Mountains.
These mills were the original "green" energy manufacturing plants. There is so much history associated with these old grist mills and each one has it's own story to tell. Join me as we explore water mills all over the country.
GPS locations mentioned in the video:
Topaz Mill: goo.gl/maps/sw...
Please visit: The Society for the Preservation of Old Mills
Facebook page: / spoom
Web page: www.spoom.org/
Please visit:
Gristmill Enthusiasts: / 49704759105
Please visit: www.millinaroun...
Milling Around with Jim Viebrock
#Topazmill, #waterpoweredmills, #gristmills, #thesocietyforthepreservationofoldmills
Millin' Around with Jim Viebrock Season 1 Episode 15 release date 10/27/2022
All rights reserved.
Welcome to Millin' Around with Jim Viebrock.
In this video blog series I travel all around the country re-visiting the old mills that I have photographed for more than 30 years. These sites have interesting history and are nestled in some of the most picturesque locations in the country. I'll talk about the unique features of each structure and the use of the topography to create energy, I'll share the stories of human success and trials, how the mill operated and how each mill impacted the communities that grew alongside them. I'll talk about how these mills were used during the civil war, why they were captured or burned and by who. These fascinating locations are true survivors and their stories are worthy of telling. Come with me on a beautiful journey of folklore, history and engineering, not to mention some of the most beautiful and amazing locations.
Grist Mills, Water powered mills, Water wheels, Overshot wheel, undershot wheel, turbine, Water turbine, grinding corn, stone mill, roller mill, water power, old mill, society for the preservation of old mills, water mill, grinding wheat, mills in Missouri, things to do in Southwestern Missouri
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[@logansmith8318]

Topaz is such an awesome piece of history! Been there many times!

[@millin360]

I love it too, it is one of my favorites. Jo Bob was a great host. Thank you for watching my videos.

[@walterperry4565]

Nice video

[@millin360]

Thank you, this one was fun to create.

[@edpickering8075]

Thank you very much....

[@millin360]

Thank you for watching my videos! Season 2 coming soon....

[@EJMassaRedCow]

I just want to tell you, I have a two year old and a six year old and they are obsessed with mills after seeing a picture of one in a book. They are such a fan of your mill videos that they will go around the house and say “Let’s find another mill to explore!” And then they will pretend things around the house are turbines or mill equipment and give explanations of them. So I hope you know you have two tiny guys who are BIG fans. Keep up the great work!

[@millin360]

That's awesome! Thank you for sharing that. We have season 2 in the works with 15 mills scheduled so far. Keep me posted on what mills you guys go see.

[@1ChevyGuy375]

Great video, it was very educational and cool. I got my love of mills from old puzzles. They were fascinating to me and still are. I wish you also filmed covered bridges. They were similarly important too as they made rivers safely passable. Just imagine coming home from the mill and your wagon being washed away or tipped with the flour or corn you just had milled.

[@millin360]

Thank you for your comments. A couple of the places we've been to have covered bridges in proximity to them, and we show some footage of the bridge but, I don't have any videos specifically where I've covered the bridges. Maybe I will during season 2. 🤔

[@joanneweislocher8540]

Thanks for sharing!

[@millin360]

We love old mills. We are settling dates to feature other mills in upcoming videos. Be sure to "like, subscribe and click the notification bell" so you don't miss their releases...

[@joanneweislocher8540]

@@millin360 Yes I subscribed! I’m in Missouri and have seen a few but would like to see more! Thank you!

[@finscreenname]

I'm thinking this mill is missing a serious opportunity. They seem to have plenty of water head and when not in use for the mill they could be using it full time to make power.

[@millin360]

There have been amazing advances in technology for small electric turbines lately. I saw a small 3' diameter turbine that only needed 4' of fall to create nearly a megawatt of electricity. There is great opportunity for power generation in small applications like this, however, the environmental regulation of waterways will prohibit the use of this new technology because of the lack of ability to get a permit. Ironic isn't it.

[@19723020]

S Howes is still in business, and still in Silver Creek NY.

[@millin360]

Some of these companies have endured many decades and some for centuries.

[@Pete-if2lz]

The mccarty family helped build this mill

[@millin360]

It's a really cool old mill.