Fairbury Mill
Jefferson Co. | Nebraska | USA
Watersource: Little Blue River.
Fairbury Mill
Take US 77 south from Lincoln, Ne., for 42 miles to Beatrice, turn west on US 136 and travel 27 miles to Fairbury. Turn left on Ne 15/K St. and head south, turning right on 3rd St. and go 6 blocks to E St. Turn left on E St and E St. will become 2rd St. as the street turns westward. The mill is a white frame structure on the left at D St & 2nd.
The 3 story frame 45'X 60' mill also has a basement or concrete foundation and a central clerestory. The front portion is cribbed for strength. The original 1883 mill was cable driven, water power from the Little Blue turning the mechanisms to drive the cable which in turn powered 8 sets of steel rollers and 3 sets of burrs.
The mill was destroyed in a fire in 1912 with the current mill built on the same location. The replacement mill converted to electricity in the early 1920's and flour milling ceased in 1950. Subsequently, it became a feed mill; then later, produced bird seed for an 8 statewide area. It was vacant but in goood condition in 2004.