Alley Spring Mill
by Ben Prepelka
Title
Alley Spring Mill
Artist
Ben Prepelka
Medium
Photograph
Description
Alley Spring, seventh largest spring in Missouri, extends over a half mile underground through a labyrinth of dolomite caves. The cool waters of Alley Spring Run, hovering around 58 degrees, flow for about a half mile to the Jacks Fork River. With a steady increase of 19th century Ozark settlers, this constant stream of water seemed the perfect fit for a grist mill.
Now a historic site of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways near Eminence, the mill is one of two century old buildings in the park. Powered by a high-tech Leffel turbine instead of an older style over-shot wheel, the steady flow of spring water kept the new mill's steel rollers spinning whenever needed. Although McCaskill's Mill had all the latest equipment, setbacks from flooding and misinformed of the area's crop preferences kept profits at bay. The Alley Spring roller mill was built to produce wheat flower in an area where corn was the main crop. Still in all, the mill was vital to the community and became the gathering place for school, church, baseball games and dances.
Uploaded
November 15th, 2016
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Comments (10)
Jennifer White
Congratulations your beautiful photo has been featured in the Ozarks Photo and Art Collection Group. You are invited to post your featured image in the featured image discussion thread a
Luther Fine Art
Congratulations! Your marvelous art has been featured on the Home Page of the ABC Group. This art has been selected from the ABC Group's V IS FOR VERMILLION WEEK, You are invited to add this wonderful art to the features archive.
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