Dell Mill in Augusta, Wisconsin

Today we toured an old flour mill called the Dell Mill in Augusta, Wisconsin.

Info on mill

The mill was built in in 1864 and is no longer in operation. It was purchased about one year ago by a new owner who would like to get it restored to working condition. The owner took us on a tour of part of the first floor and explained how the machines worked and showed us examples of the different types of flour that was made from the wheat.

Separator

Seprator

Wheel for controlling gears

Dam from above

Water wheel

His knees were bothering him so he told us to take off on our own for touring the rest of the building and if we had questions to come find him. He is doing all the work himself for restoration so it is taking him awhile to get it done. We wandered up and down stairs looking at everything and eventually Bruce discovered an opening that let him get down under the mill and by the water wheel. I had gone back up to the main level and was just getting ready to go back down looking for him when he came up the stairs. He then showed me the way down and we looked around some more.

Wheel from underside

Underneath the mill

After the flour was made it was stored in big wood kegs. Each farmer had a stencil that was used to mark the top of his kegs so they could be identified.

Name stencils

Name stencils

The mill owner kept 10% as his fee for the work he did. It was really interesting being able to look around as we wanted. There was an excellent view of the falls and the wheel from outside.