Beck's Mill Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Beck's Mill
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Beck's Mill, after restoration
Location in Washington County, Indiana Show map of Washington County, Indiana Location in Indiana Show map of Indiana Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Becks Mill, Indiana
Area	14 acres (57,000 m²)
MPS	Grain Mills in Indiana MPS
NRHP reference No.	90001789
Added to NRHP	December 7, 1990

Beck's Mill is a very old gristmill located in Washington County, Indiana. It's about seven miles (11 km) southwest of Salem. This mill was first built way back in 1808. It had to be rebuilt in 1864 after a fire. The mill is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. For a few years, it was on a list of Indiana's most endangered historic places. But thanks to people who cared, it got money for restoration and is now saved!

Where is Beck's Mill?
A Look Back: The Mill's History
Bringing the Mill Back to Life
The Beck's Mill Settlement
Beck's Mill Bridge
Gallery
See also

Where is Beck's Mill?

The mill sits in a rocky valley. Tall sycamore and maple trees surround it. This spot is also one of the highest places in Indiana. It is about 946 feet (288 m) above sea level.

A Look Back: The Mill's History

Beck's Mill before restoration

The land where Beck's Mill stands was once an important site for Native American tribes. The Shawnee and Delaware tribes lived nearby. In 1807, George Beck arrived from North Carolina with his sons. He found a perfect spot for a mill while exploring his new property. He saw a waterfall coming out of a cave. This waterfall is actually a huge spring. It is the second largest spring in Indiana. The cave is about a mile long and provides water all year.

The first mill was built in 1808. It was a small stone and log building, only 11 ft x 11 ft. Beck built a small dam uphill from the mill. This dam used gravity to send water through wooden troughs. The water then turned a large mill wheel. Some of the grinding stones, called buhr stones, came all the way from France. They were brought to the site from Louisville.

A second, much larger mill was built in 1825. This one was made of wood. In 1828, two carding machines were added. These machines helped prepare wool for making fabric.

The mill you see today is the third one built on this spot. It was the first to have two stories. It also made furniture. From 1864 to 1890, the mill was very busy. It ran 24 hours a day! It used a mix of a turbine and a waterwheel to turn the grindstones. Families would sometimes wait three days for their corn to be milled. This led to a small settlement growing around the mill.

However, newer, modern mills became much better. It also became harder to get to rural mills like Beck's. So, Beck's Mill stopped working in 1914. Of the 65 mills that once operated in Washington County, Beck's Mill is the only one still standing. Less than 20 mills remain in all of Indiana.

Bringing the Mill Back to Life

Beck's Mill near the end of its restoration

A group called Friends of Beck's Mill is a nonprofit organization. They were given the mill and 14 acres (57,000 m²) of land by Donald and Joyce Andersen. Joyce is a direct descendant of the original George Beck family. The goal was to save the mill and make it work again. They also hoped to create a local park around it.

In 2006, a member of the Friends won $1,000. They used this money to start a special fund for the mill. This fund helps market and operate the mill for the future.

An architect named John Hawkins estimated that it would cost $600,000 to restore the mill. More money would be needed to reopen it. Then, William and Gayle Cook, who are billionaires and philanthropists, made a huge donation. In 2007, they gave about $1,200,000.00 to start the restoration.

The restoration work began in May 2007. Workers first removed old equipment and tools. They cleaned the old turbines. The stone foundation of the mill was also repaired. In September 2007, the outside work paused for the year. The mill's inner workings were put back in place in spring 2008. A grand opening was planned for the fall of 2008. This was just in time for the 200th anniversary of the first Beck's Mill.

After the restoration, hiking trails were built around the mill. A group called the Hoosier Hikers Council helped. Over three years, they built more than three miles of trails. Visitors can now enjoy the spring, bluffs, and natural beauty of the park. A 200-year-old log cabin on the hill behind the mill was also restored.

The Beck's Mill Settlement

Country store at Beck's Mill, Indiana

After some conflicts with Native Americans in 1812, the Beck family built two small forts. These forts helped protect the property. The new protection started to attract more people to the area. In 1814, the settlement of Beck's Mill was considered to be the county seat for Washington County. But Salem eventually got that important position.

Today, the settlement is a crossroads. It's where Beck's Mill Road meets the Old Vincennes trail. You can see a former fire station and a country store there. The old country store has been reopened. It is now operated as an old general store and museum. They even serve food like soups, sandwiches, and soft ice cream.

Beck's Mill Bridge

The bridge near the mill is also very special. It is called the Beck's Mill Bridge, or Washington County Bridge # 105. On September 20, 2007, it was also added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is a concrete arch bridge. It was designed by Daniel Luten, a famous engineer from Indiana. He was known for his work on arch bridges. The bridge is planned to be restored in 2017.