Florence Mill (Omaha, Nebraska)

Infobox_nrhp | name =Weber Mill
nrhp_type =


caption =
location= Omaha, Nebraska
lat_degrees = 41
lat_minutes = 20
lat_seconds = 37.34
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 95
long_minutes = 57
long_seconds = 41.01
long_direction = W
locmapin = Nebraska
area =
built =1856
architect=
architecture= No Style Listed
added = December 31, 1998
governing_body = Private
refnum=98001568cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

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. [(nd) [http://www.historicflorence.org/FlorenceMill/index.htm Florence Mill] . Historic Florence website. Retrieved 6/6/07.] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Weber Mill in 1998. [(1998) [http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listings/990108.htm National Register of Historic Places Listings] . National Park Service. Retrieved 6/6/07.]

History

Brigham Young supervised construction by the Mormon pioneers of Winter Quarters, and today the Florence Mill is reportedly the only surviving building to have been built by the Mormons. [(nd) [http://www.historicomaha.com/flrncmil.htm A Look Inside Florence Mill] . HistoricOmaha.com. Retrieved 6/6/07.] 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. [(nd) [http://www.historicflorence.org/Mormons/GristMill.htm Grist Mill: Florence Mill During the Mormon Period] . HistoricFlorence.Com. Retrieved 6/6/07.]

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. [(nd) [http://www.allaboutomaha.net/Omaha/Florence/index.htm Around Florence: Florence Mill] . AllAboutOmaha.Net. Retrieved 6/6/07.]

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. [(2007) [http://www.nebraskahistory.org/histpres/nebraska/douglas2.htm More Nebraska National Register Sites in Douglas County: Weber Mill] . Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 6/7/07.]

Currently

Today the Mill is operated as a museum and art loft. [Moreland, D. (2006) [http://press.creighton.edu/040706/thescene2.html Exhibit a mother’s tribute to son] "The Creightonian Online." Retrieved 6/6/07.] Omaha billionaire Warren Buffett has been involved in a drive to renovate the structure.Minge, J. (nd) [http://www.omahacityweekly.com/article.php?id=937 To give is devine: Buffett’s Philanthropy spreads to the Florence Mill] . "City Weekly". Retrieved 6/6/07.]

ee also

*History of North Omaha

External links

* [http://omahabydesign.com/Newsletter/DesignLine3_07/Florence-Mill.jpg1920s picture] of the Florence Mill.
* [http://www.historicflorence.org/Mormons/GristMill-2.htm Florence Mill Chronology] . HistoricFlorence.Com

References