New Era Milling Co
Cowley Co. | Kansas | USA
Watersource: Arkansas River-electricity
New Era Milling Co
On Bus US166, W. Madison Ave. 2 blocks west of S. Summit St, Bus US177, at S. Second St. or 309 W. Madison Ave. in Arkansas City, Kansas.
A large limestone mill complex built in 1899. It is hard to see the exact extent of the original stone structure, but it includes the lower portion of stone on the right with the new blue steel roof/siding on the upper two stories.
The west section of the mill is partly stone also as is visible under the covered shed built for loading and unloading of railcars in former days. The track has been removed or paved over on W. Madison. Just to the right of the former tracks, lies a millrace or canal that came off the Arkansas River?, north of the mill beyond Carver and Paris city parks and continues south past the mill, parallel to the BNRR tracks and crosses under S.First St. on it's way either to empty into the Arkansas River or the Walnut River that joins the Arkansas River thereabouts. This raceway is stonewall lined, especially in the park areas.
A view looking west on W. Madison Ave. showing some of the additions of silos,etc. The smaller limestone main office in the center of the photo looks newer than the main stone mill structure, but is built surprising of the same type of stone.
Polar Bear, The NEW ERA MILLING Co... Pin cushion. very old
The mills production has been taken over by Archer Daniels Midland, probably sometime in the last decade, the 1990's. Polar Bear Flour was produced here in the mid 1900's and that brand is continueing to be produced under ADM Management. See site: http://antiquesbyjoyce.com/items/wf37.html .
The mill is located on W. Madison Ave., two blocks west of S. Summit St. where S. Second St. joins W. Madison Ave.
*Update: Rommel states the mill was built by the Sowden family as a water-powered flour mill in 1899 using the afore-mentioned canal as a water source. It was sold to ADM in 1977 and is operating today under Archer Daniels Midland. Rommel works in the New Era Mill Complex in Arkansas City, Kansas. Ronnie Rommel 12/12/2004*
Included in middle of small 3.25" x 5.0" booklet, Polar Bear Flour Booklet, that must have been included in the flour. Complete centerfold image showing mill and a little history. If mill was built in 1899 then this must be from the 1930s.