Dick's Mill

Today we went to see Dick’s Mill, located in Cooper County, Missouri. It is soon to be disassembled and moved to the Missouri River Valley Steam Engine Association ground near Boonville, Missouri.

To learn more about the Mill, follow their Facebook page, Dick’s Mill Restoration Project.

Donations for the project can be sent to Bob Painter, 12226 Hwy. 5, Boonville, Mo. 65233

The mill built in 1868 was restored partially in the late 70’s and 80’s. 

This photo shows one of the canvas belts with the riveted metal cups that operate inside the wooden elevators.  Some of these belts are made of leather.  Imagine each of these cups carrying a small handful of flour or grain to the next piece of equipment.  Simple, but it worked!

Looking down into the basement.

Of course, living in a timber frame, it always pleases me to look at other timber frame structures.

48-inch millstone

Donations were accepted, lunch was hot dogs , chili, pumpkin pies, chocolate chip cookies, lemonade, and apple cider.

Club members had several small engines running, sharpened blades or grinding corn.  

Our friends Jim and Deanna came to see the mill. We enjoyed visiting and eat together. The sunshine was warm, it was a beautiful fall day in the country.

Bernie visits with Nancy Martin, her late husband along with Paul and Becky Bloch restored the mill. Nancy and Bernie worked together at Missouri Farm Bureau in the late 70’s.

In fact, Bernie still has their business card!

Bob Painter who is manning this project, drew quite a crowd inside. Hearing him tell the history or the use of the different pieces was so interesting. 

One very LARGE beam.

Yes, there were skeletons in the basement!