The Nielson Grist Mill was built in 1883, burned, then rebuilt in 1890 by Danish carpenter, Neils Hansen for miller, Hans Peter Nielson. The tall sandstone foundation walls allow for easy access to the machinery beneath for repair and maintenance adjustments. A wooden frame structure rises 2.5 stories above the foundation. This structure houses a mill that boasts having all the original equipment.

Buhr grindstones, slatted wooden flumes, turbine, connecting gears and driveshafts, and roller and bolting mechanisms. The framing is of post & beam construction, the rough hewn beams jioned with mortice and tendon(large tapered wooden pegs, usually oak or other hardwood). Essentually, the mill has everything needed for the workings of a pioneer flour mill.

Nielson operated the mill until his death in 1909; then for the next decade, the mill was run by three brothers: Earnest, Jesse, and Clinton Syrett. Several other operators were involved in running the mill in its waning days until it closed in 1935. *Update: Also known as Thurber Roller Mills. Norman Reed 2006*

The mill, situated not many miles NW of Capitol Reef Nat'l Monument, is currently being restored by the Montel Seeley family aided with a lot of volunteer help from members and friends of the Intermountain Chapter of SPOOM. The mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places: 75001835 (06/18/1975).