Exeter in Tulare County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

San Joaquin Roller Mill

One Of the First Four Roller Mills in California

Photographed By Lester J Letson, August 15, 2010

1. San Joaquin Roller Mill Marker

Inscription. Located just to the north on the People's Ditch, this mill, operating from 1854 to 1913, produced much of the flour used by early settlers of the valley

Erected 1978 by Dr. Samuel Gregg George Chapter 1855, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 36° 19.617′ N, 119° 9.987′ W. Marker is in Exeter, California, in Tulare County. Marker is at the intersection of County Road 182 and Drive 182 on County Road 182. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29670 Road 182, Exeter CA 93221, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Venice School (approx. 2 miles away); Tulare County Election Tree (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Electric Railroad (approx. 2½ miles away); Farmersville (approx. 3 miles away); Packwood Station (approx. 4.6 miles away); The Hanging of J.G. McCrory (approx. 6.8 miles away); Camp Babbitt (approx. 6.8 miles away); Visalia Chinatown (approx. 6.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Exeter.

More about this marker. The marker was originally

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erected on the Highway 198 right-of-way in 1978. A trip to view and clean markers in July of 2005 found that the marker was no longer where it had been originally placed along the highway. While standing at the site of the marker, one of the group spied the marker across the highway on Drive 182. Apparently Cal Trans employees had gotten a local homeowner to agree to have the marker placed in front of their property about 30 yards away from the original spot when the highway was widened some years back. The Clampers of Tulare County breathed a sigh of relief to see the marker nicely displayed close by the original location.

Regarding San Joaquin Roller Mill. Historical references point to John Firebaugh, who was credited as the founder of Exeter, as being the one that built the roller mill, but further research shows that he would have been 8 years old in 1854 when the mill started. What is known is that John Firebaugh and partners were once owners of the mill.

Photographed By Lester J Letson, August 15, 2010

2. San Joaquin Roller Mill Marker

Found the San Joaquin Roller Mill Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lester J Letson, July 16, 2005

3. Found the San Joaquin Roller Mill Marker

Relieved Clampers after finding the marker across the highway from its original location in 2005.

San Joaquin Roller Mill image. Click for full size.

Firebaugh family collection, circa Late1800's

4. San Joaquin Roller Mill

From the Tulare County Sesquicentennial Collection

Roller Mill equipment image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown, circa unknown

5. Roller Mill equipment

An early add for roller mill equipment. It is unknown what equipment the San Joaquin Vally Roller Mill used.

Across the Highway image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lester J Letson, August 15, 2010

6. Across the Highway

This picture shows the intersection of Highway 198 and Road 182, with the other side of 198 showing in the picture. The marker was originally located on the other side of this highway.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 1,207 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 16, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.