Wyoming Feed & Supply

[Steve]

This business has been a landmark in Wyoming since at least 1871. Originally owned by Hugh Mustard, it burned at least twice; in 1890 and in 1910 and was rebuilt each time. It appears that the original brick structure survived at least the 1910 fire, as it's shown on a 1906 fire insurance plan, but it's currently unknown whether the brick part dates to the original 1870s mill, or was itself a replacement structure after the 1890 fire.^*

Recently, this old mill went out of business and has come under the ownership of Ron Schenk, who's now using the property for his concrete business. Word is that the mill building will be demolished soon. I missed the auction to clear out the mill fixtures, but I'm really glad I caught this one before it was torn down, because I spent a lot of time playing around here as a kid and it's been a Wyoming landmark for 140+ years.

Until only a couple of years ago, this mill was not painted. It was just plain grey galvanized sheet metal. The red paint really made it look sharp for the first time I can remember.

It's one of those places that's such a part of the town landscape that I'm afraid no one even notices it anymore. But, soon it may be gone forever.



Take a close look at the photo. At the back of the current building, you can just make out the original brick portion of the mill and its roof line, with the central gallery protruding above the main roof, with a window in the gable end. It is of an architectural style that was very common in mills of the late 1800s and as far as I know, it's the last of it's kind in the county to survive. The brick shows what looks like fire damage on the back side (see below) and remains of roof flashing of a long disappeared addition, that may have went in the 1910 fire.

There's a 1906 fire insurance plan here showing the mill, at that time known as the Eureka Grist Mill. A 2 story brick portion is shown in pink, but the rest of the structure shown is not the same as the current. This gives credence to the possibility that the current brick portion predates the 1910 fire and was the nucleus around which the current mill was built.

I hope to get out and take more photos and get some measurements so that I can eventually preserve this gem of a building as a 3D model. (Update: Ron allowed me to enter and measure the mill, so I have all the measurements and lots of interior photos...)

The mill in 2007, before it was painted red.



^*source: The Country Town by Isla Smith on Our Roots

[peter]

That would be a shame if they demolish it..

[Steve]

Oh, it's going... like it, or not. Likely this winter.

All that can be done now is to document it as carefully and in as much detail as possible. I consider myself lucky to have the opportunity to do that. Most of the time, you never learn about these things until it's too late...

Which is why I created Demo Watch. Hopefully, it will prove beneficial...

[Steve]

You know, one of the cool things about this mill is that it doesn't sit near the railway, or in some other industrial area, as you would expect. Instead, it lies 3 blocks from the rail line and even outside the mainstreet business district, deep within a residential area. This speaks to its venerable age; that is, when it was first built, the village layout was still nebulous and evolving.

It also makes the mill's existence to the present day all the more miraculous, when you consider the pressure neighbours would have applied to have it moved. Especially, when this virtual tinderbox burned at least twice and as late as 1910, thus providing perfect opportunities for removal to more suitable environs. That in turn, speaks to its importance and continued viability in the community, for almost 140 years.

I talked to some abutting neighbours and they say they'll be glad to see it go. They've never known a time when rats and mill cats and dust and odour and noise and threat of fire weren't part of their daily lives.

But, I myself will miss it and its unique place in the town I grew up in...

[stephanie]

What a shame....I've almost went off the road many times looking at that place while driving by. I love it!

[peter]

Steve,
I didnt have my camera with me but we went to sams and I pointed out the old grain mill and it looked like there was some sort of demolition underway at the back area. It is still being used though from what I could see?

[Steve]

Peter, they've torn out and sold the metal grain bins in behind and are storing their concrete forms in the rear, so it does look kind of rough back there. But, as far as I know, they won't be tearing the mill down for at least a few more weeks, until the seasonal winter lull in the concrete business.

With the bins gone, you can really see the building back there like never before.

Here's some before and after pics, taken about 3 years apart:




Now, you can really make out the original brick mill and how it was added to, sort of piecemeal, over the years. The formed concrete addition, to the left, was a steam boiler/engine house at one time, which was the mills original power and heat source.

You'll also notice a horizontal line, up on the brick, where the roof flashing from an earlier addition was located. You can see this addition in the 1906 FIP I linked to in a previous post. The brick below the line is relatively clean and above is stained black; like from a fire. Also, notice the concrete filled door and window openings. They look like they would have been taller originally. When I was in the mill, I was able to determine that the brick walls were probably taller originally, but were shortened and a new roof put on, likely after a fire.

[Steve]

Hey folks,

I've contacted Ron Schenk, the current owner of this property and he's going to allow me access to the mill to take pictures and make measurements!

I'd like to include a couple of LLF members on this unique mission. I need a couple of people to help hold the tape and preference will be given to someone with a HD camcorder and/or digital SLR camera, both of which need to have good low light capability. I'm also looking for a large, flood style, flashlight to help illuminate the interior for filming.

You should be in good enough shape to be able to climb the ladders leading to the different levels inside and you should be willing to sign a liability waiver, if requested.

Probably be a good idea to wear safety shoes and have some gloves handy.

I'll be doing this sometime during the week of Nov. 15th, 2010, first thing in the morning and it could possibly take most of the day.

If you're up for it, PM me. Please keep in mind, I can only take a couple of people, so please forgive me if I don't choose you to join us.

Thanks!

[peter]

Steve,
Is there alot of open grass area on the property at all? Just thinking it might be worthwhiel moutning a metal detecting trip before the ground is dug up if it is?

[Steve]

No, there never has been, Peter. I always remember it being all gravel/dirt and now, a large part of the back part of the yard is covered in concrete forms and other related equipment.

Unfortunately, I can't imagine you'd find anything but scrap metal in the ground. But, I don't think the owner would mind you looking.

I'm racking my brain, trying to think of other areas in Wyoming where you could do some detecting. If any come to mind, I'll let you know...

[Steve]

A little more info on the mill:

www.auctionflex.com/searchauctions.ap?co=58035&mindate=19900101&maxdate=20100616&lang=en

showing some of the stuff that was auctioned...

[Steve]

Some demo work being done... Supposed to be the extent of it for the time being. I will keep an eye on it... Here's a link to a Facebook thread on the mill.

[misterboz]

Nov 4, 2010 19:32:00 GMT -5 Steve said:

This business has been a landmark in Wyoming since at least 1871. Originally owned by Hugh Mustard, it burned at least twice; in 1890 and in 1910 and was rebuilt each time. It appears that the original brick structure survived at least the 1910 fire, as it's shown on a 1906 fire insurance plan, but it's currently unknown whether the brick part dates to the original 1870s mill, or was itself a replacement structure after the 1890 fire.^*

Recently, this old mill went out of business and has come under the ownership of Ron Schenk, who's now using the property for his concrete business. Word is that the mill building will be demolished soon. I missed the auction to clear out the mill fixtures, but I'm really glad I caught this one before it was torn down, because I spent a lot of time playing around here as a kid and it's been a Wyoming landmark for 140+ years.

Until only a couple of years ago, this mill was not painted. It was just plain grey galvanized sheet metal. The red paint really made it look sharp for the first time I can remember.

It's one of those places that's such a part of the town landscape that I'm afraid no one even notices it anymore. But, soon it may be gone forever.



Take a close look at the photo. At the back of the current building, you can just make out the original brick portion of the mill and its roof line, with the central gallery protruding above the main roof, with a window in the gable end. It is of an architectural style that was very common in mills of the late 1800s and as far as I know, it's the last of it's kind in the county to survive. The brick shows what looks like fire damage on the back side (see below) and remains of roof flashing of a long disappeared addition, that may have went in the 1910 fire.

There's a 1906 fire insurance plan here showing the mill, at that time known as the Eureka Grist Mill. A 2 story brick portion is shown in pink, but the rest of the structure shown is not the same as the current. This gives credence to the possibility that the current brick portion predates the 1910 fire and was the nucleus around which the current mill was built.

I hope to get out and take more photos and get some measurements so that I can eventually preserve this gem of a building as a 3D model. (Update: Ron allowed me to enter and measure the mill, so I have all the measurements and lots of interior photos...)

The mill in 2007, before it was painted red.



^*source: The Country Town by Isla Smith on Our Roots

[misterboz]

Nov 4, 2010 19:32:00 GMT -5 Steve said:

This business has been a landmark in Wyoming since at least 1871. Originally owned by Hugh Mustard, it burned at least twice; in 1890 and in 1910 and was rebuilt each time. It appears that the original brick structure survived at least the 1910 fire, as it's shown on a 1906 fire insurance plan, but it's currently unknown whether the brick part dates to the original 1870s mill, or was itself a replacement structure after the 1890 fire.^*

Recently, this old mill went out of business and has come under the ownership of Ron Schenk, who's now using the property for his concrete business. Word is that the mill building will be demolished soon. I missed the auction to clear out the mill fixtures, but I'm really glad I caught this one before it was torn down, because I spent a lot of time playing around here as a kid and it's been a Wyoming landmark for 140+ years.

Until only a couple of years ago, this mill was not painted. It was just plain grey galvanized sheet metal. The red paint really made it look sharp for the first time I can remember.

It's one of those places that's such a part of the town landscape that I'm afraid no one even notices it anymore. But, soon it may be gone forever.



Take a close look at the photo. At the back of the current building, you can just make out the original brick portion of the mill and its roof line, with the central gallery protruding above the main roof, with a window in the gable end. It is of an architectural style that was very common in mills of the late 1800s and as far as I know, it's the last of it's kind in the county to survive. The brick shows what looks like fire damage on the back side (see below) and remains of roof flashing of a long disappeared addition, that may have went in the 1910 fire.

There's a 1906 fire insurance plan here showing the mill, at that time known as the Eureka Grist Mill. A 2 story brick portion is shown in pink, but the rest of the structure shown is not the same as the current. This gives credence to the possibility that the current brick portion predates the 1910 fire and was the nucleus around which the current mill was built.

I hope to get out and take more photos and get some measurements so that I can eventually preserve this gem of a building as a 3D model. (Update: Ron allowed me to enter and measure the mill, so I have all the measurements and lots of interior photos...)

The mill in 2007, before it was painted red.



^*source: The Country Town by Isla Smith on Our Roots

Attachments:

[misterboz]

My great grandfather, Nathaniel Boswell owned the Eureka Mill. I have attached the picture I have.