Smoky Valley Roller Mill / Runbeck Mill
McPherson Co | Kansas | USA
Watersource: Smoky Hill River.
Smoky Valley Roller Mill / Runbeck Mill
Travel 18 miles south of Salina, Ks. on I-135/US 81, exit onto Sh 4/Us 81(bus) and drive 5 miles to the south edge of Lindsborg. Stay with Sh 4 When Us 81 splits off for 0.5 miles into town turning left on First St. Go about two more blocks, turn right on Mill St. and procede to the mill on the left.
The Smoky Valley Roller Mill was built in 1898 by J. G. Bergsted in 1889. A prior grist and saw mill was erected on the site soon after 1872, when a dam grant was issued to Charles Johnson. This early mill burned in 1887.
This photo behind the mill is of the roofed-over turbine pit and gearing by the race gates.
This actually shows the bevel gears. The turbine shaft coming up to the large bevel gear meshes with the smaller gear, changing the direction to horizontal, with the shaft in forground headed toward the mill.
A row of roller mills manufactured by the Wolf Company, Chambersburg, Pa. All the pieces of equipment in the mill are in an excellent state of condition.
A bank of flour sifters on the 2nd or 3rd floor. The mill was purchased by Theodore Teichgraber in 1890.
Flour packing stations located on the first floor.
An old log cabin located on the grounds close to the mill. The cabin is built in the Swedish traditional style of the Lindsborg area.
A couple of old water turbines similar to the ones needed to operate the roller mill.
A view of the Smoky Valley Roller Mill from the Smoky Hill River. A city park across the river provides ample views of the mill as does the bridge over the river. A small RV park is located on the opposite side of Sh 4 from the park.
A little more mill history: The mill was operated by William Hagstrom from 1907 to 1927. Then it was closed for a time, but reopened in 1934 and was operated by Calrence, Lenard, Regibald, & Arthur Runbeck. It was known at this time as the Runbeck Mill. The mill was donated to the McPherson Co. Fish & Game Ass'n in 1959. It was deeded to McPherson County and developed as a mill museum in 1967.