High Creek Mill Farmstead

Mill

In 1862, Bishop Marriner Wood Merrill instructed William D. Hendricks, William H. Jackson, Phillip Pugsley, and Goudy E. Hogan to build a mill on the Cub River. William and Goudy wanted to buy out the other men and did so. They moved the operation of the mill on High Creek and built a grist mill, which began working in December 1862.1 Goudy records the early history of the mill:

"When we got the mill running, we found there was not half enough water to run the mill, as the water wheel was a center vent wooden wheel. The building of this mill was a great undertaking but being called upon by the proper authorities, I always thought it my duty to put my trust in the Lord and go at it with all my strength. I sold my place in Bountiful for $1200. This helped me to pay some of my debts on the mill. The first cost of the mill was $10,000. I had one-third interest. We bought a small turbine wheel, 12 inches in diameter that cost us $450 besides other expenses to get it to run. After a fair trial, we found that there was not power enough to grind and we then had to buy a large 18-inch turbine wheel. That cost $500. We went to the expense of $2400 to purchase the wheel and overhaul the inside gearing. This was a successful labor. The mill now did good business."1

They purchased a carding machine to clean all the wool in the valley. However, as Goudy put it, "[The] repairs were greater than the profits." Goudy sold his share of the mill to William D. Hendricks, who then sold the mill in 1869.1 It went through other owners before landing in the hands of William Henry Hendricks in 1884. In 1900, his half-brother Alma Hendricks took over the mill.2 Alma's son William Fenton Hendricks relates:

"I can remember, as a 12-year-old boy, working at the mill doing odd jobs and hauling grain and flour sacks. I did that when I wasn't busy on the family farm."2

By 1940, the mill was destroyed, but the granary of the mill still stands today.1

Home

In 1894, William Henry Hendricks built a home west of the mill for his family. After, he constructed a barn just west of the home that no longer stands. Henry only operated the mill until 1900, when his half-brother, Alma Hendricks, took over the mill and moved his family. They continued to live in the mill up to their deaths.2

The home and property were passed to Alma's son, William Fenton Hendricks, until he died in 1991. The property was sold to Rick and Cammi Allen in 1992 - 2001. The land was purchased by Stephen and Ann Burger in 2001 until 2008, when it was purchased by the current owners. 

1. Goudy Hogan. (Year made Unknown) HIGH CREEK MILL By Goudy Hogan, Written by Himself. Some additions made by Susannah P. Allen. Uploaded to FamilySearch.org lisaarmstrong3, Nov 16, 2019. https://www.familysearch.org/memories/memory/97330610?cid=mem_copy

2. (1989). Fenton Hendricks. Herald Journal. Uploaded to FamilySearch.org by lisaarmstrong3, Nov 16, 2019. https://www.familysearch.org/memories/memory/97328278?cid=mem_copy