Meriden Antique Engine & Threshers Association Flour Mill

Flour Mill, photo taken by G. Bowen

In the spring of 1998 this project began when Bob Hjetland and myself, Gary Bowen, began searching for flour milling machinery built in the 1885 era. After ads in several publications we found machinery in Indiana, Virginia, North Carolina, and Illinois. Some of these machines had been removed from old mills and some we had to remove ourselves. With help from association members we removed and transported the machines to a storage area where restoration began.

As collection of the machinery was taking place the construction of the flour milling building began. Construction of a small 1885 flour mill was researched and plans were drawn by Bob H. The building is 25' x 30' and 3½ floors tall. The building was constructed from lumber sawed at the Thick and Thin sawmill on the show grounds. Dan Barrow donated logs used for sawing. It took nearly 3 years to complete.

Flat belts power all machinery in the building, and a 25' long line shaft is located on each floor. The mill will require approximately 40 horsepower to operate. Power for 1885 mills was water, steam, or wind. We are currently using a gas tractor for power.

Starr Mill

During the 1880's the flour milling industry experienced development of the roller mill which could mill grain finer and faster then the stone method which dates back as early as 70 B.C. If mills had not converted to the roller mill by the 1890's they could not compete in the industry. A flour mill the size of this building would have contained 2 rollermills and produced 50 barrels per day (24 hrs.) (a barrel of flour weighs 196 lbs.) For historic purposes we have combined the two types of 1880 era machines in the mill. The Starr 30" stone mill was built between 1865 - 1880. We purchased this mill in North Carolina. The mill, like all machinery, in the mill was completely disassembled worn parts replaced or rebuilt, and wooden parts were stripped and refinished. We will be milling corn meal on this mill at the Threshing Show and The Fall Festival.

Our Nordyke and Marmon roller mills were built in Indianapolis, Indiana between 1885 - 1890 and were referred to as the Mae West model. We purchased these machines in Indiana. Nordyke and Marmon were one of the largest manufactures of flour milling machinery in the world during the 1880's. They sold a complete line of flour milling machinery and would deliver, by railroad, a package of all machinery needed, for your capacity mill, including a steam engine for power. We are currently restoring the second mill and hope to have it on line by the threshing show. We will be milling wheat products on these machines at the Threshing Show and Fall Festival. Our fourth mill is a Nordyke and Marmon 3 pair high roller mill and was designed for milling corn products. This mill is in storage and unrestored.

Photo of Nordyke & Marmon roller mill

Salem Bolting Machine (Sifter)

This machine was built by the Salem Manufacturing Company, of Salem, Virginia. We purchased this machine in Virginia. Elevators deliver the milled "chop" to the sifter on the 3rd floor. The sifter then separates the wheat or corn chop into different products based on size. It is located on the third (top) floor of the mill and will move the building when in operation. There are many other operating machines in the building necessary to the milling process and will be operating at the Threshing Show and The Fall Festival. Brochures containing information for a self-guided tour of the building are available or if you would like a personally guided tour of the building just ask one of us when you come in. When you come to visit the mill please let us know if you visited this page on our web site.

For more information, contact: e-mail: Gary Bowen (785) 484-3705

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