Phelps Mill

Phelps Mills is also known as The Maine Roller Mill. It is located in Maine Township. The town of Maine is located two miles north of Phelps Mill. Phelps Mill was built into the east bank of the Otter Tail River.

Brief timeline:

1886 - The site of the mill was purchased by William E. Thomas in 1886. The next year was spent constructing a dam, however, it was not until 1889 that work began on the mill.

1887 - Wood dam built.

1889 - The flour mill took eight months to build and by December of 1889 “The Maine Roller Mills” began operation.

1895 - A three story addition was built in 1895 to meet the demands for grinding feed, buckwheat and rye.

1906 - Ray Phelps becomes head miller

1908 - Wood dam developed serious leaks and in 1908 was replaced by the concrete and rubble rock dam

1920 - William E. Thomas sold the operation in 1920 to the Farmers Mercantile Company for $33,500.00

1928 - The Farmers Mercantile Company sold building to H. G. Everson for $10,500.00

1939 - Mill closes

1965 - Otter Tail County Board purchased property for parkland

1975 - Phelps Mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Links:
Phelps Mill Festival
Phelps Mill County Park
Friends of Phelps Mill
Phelps Mill info by Ohio Barns
National Register of Historic Places - Phelps Mill
Phelps Mill - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia