Jasper City Mill

History of Jasper City Mill by Brenda Krekeler

Jasper City Mill is a new mill and was completed in 2009. The new mill is the third mill at this location.

Andrew Evans built the first mill here on the Patoka River in Jasper, Indiana in 1817. Andrew Evans came here from Scott County, Kentucky. Here in Jasper, he built a gristmill. It had one level and an undershot water wheel.

The Enlow family, Joseph and Elander Enlow, purchased the mill and property. The Enlows built their home next to their mill. Their mill became a regional success in the early 1820s.

Francis Eckert from Pfaffenweiler, Germany came to Jasper and purchased the Enlows Mill in 1847. He ran the mill until about 1865 when he built a new three-story grist and flour mill. Francis left his mill to his three sons, Conrad, Jacob and Andrew in 1871. The Eckert Brothers increased the business and shipped flatboats full of barrels of flour down the Ohio and Mississippi River and ultimatley, to New Orleans.

It was in 1879 that the Eckert's started shipping their barrels of flour by train.

By 1883 the Eckert's replaced their mill stones with roller mills. With their new roller milling equipment they were producting 150 to 200 barrels of flour a day.

By 1910, the youngest borther, Andrew Eckert had obtaining sole ownership of the mill. The mill continued making flour until 1930 when the mill closed.

The mill set silent until 1964 when a devastating flood consumed the town and destroyed the foundation of the mill. A few months later the mill was raised. Susequently, the mill property became a city park.

The current, new Jasper City Mill was opened in 2009 with two millers, Ron Brosmer and Randi Schroeder.

Today, June 2012, Jasper City Mill has a striking mill building. Made of poplar, the massive stairs wind around the interior of the three floors. They built the structure with 874 wooden nails and the interior is spectacular. When you come into the mill you will discover the drive shaft that comes directly from the 24' wooden water wheel. The driveshaft is very large carrying pulleys and belts to power the mill stones. They grind corn and sell the cornmeal at their Country Store inside the mill. The mill stone area is elevated from the first floor level. You can see the mill stones, mill stone case, hook & crane and hopper. The miller will show you how the corn is placed into the hopper and then grinds the grain through the mill stones and the cornmeal drops down into a box to be bagged and sold.

The exterior of the mill shows a 24' wooden water wheel that powers gears and moves the enegy into the driveshaft. The wheel has a delightful deck area that you can walk around and visually enjoy the water wheel as it is spinning and clamoring. It is fascinating to see and to listen! I like the tactile experience of getting the water spray, the large movement of the wheel and the energy driven into the power house. Jasper City Mill is a fabulous experience for everyone !

The exterior also allows visitors to view the Patoka River and the dam which is right next to the Third Avenue Bridge.

The Jasper City Mill is located at 160 Third Avenue, Jasper IN 47546. For more information and hours, call the Jasper Park and Recreation Department at 812-482-5959 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or the Jasper City Mill at 812-482-4924.

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Jasper City Mill, 164 3rd Avenue #100, Jasper, IN 47546

812-482-4924