Park Rapids in Hubbard County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Rice Flour Mill Grindstones
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 30, 2022
1. Rice Flour Mill Grindstones Marker
These two grindstones from the Rice Flour Mill became historical finds from the October 1982 flooding when the Fish Hook River rose 5 inches.
The Rice Brothers (Franklin and Gilbert) came to Park Rapids in about 1880 and one year later located a mill on the Fish Hook River. Their water-powered sawmill turned out rough lumber that helped settlers in building and their gristmill produced flour for the settlers and feed for their horses.
Grinding of grains is possible with a "bed stone" and a "runner stone" suspended at the right height above the "bed stone". The miller adjusted the "runner stone's" height according to the grain that is being ground and the speed at which the water wheel is turning.
The grinding faces of the millstones could be sharpened or "dressed". This person was called a stone-dresser. A picklike hand tool called a "mill bill" was used to deepen the furrows or grooves of the stone.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 46° 55.205′ N, 95° 3.817′ W.
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Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Northland. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hubbard County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Tourism (approx. 0.2 miles away); Park Theater (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fuller's Tackle Shop (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bishop's Department Store (approx. 0.2 miles
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 30, 2022
2. Rice Flour Mill Grindstones Marker
Also see . . . Early Entrepreneurs.
Among Park Rapids earliest settlers was F.C. Rice who said when he first saw Park Rapids there was one solitary log house, built where Main Street is now and between 1st and 2nd Streets. This claim shanty belonged to C.O. Charles Todd, who filed the original townsite of Park Rapids in 1879. Todd later relinquished his rights to F.C. Rice. Rice also conducted the first 4th of July celebration in Park Rapids in 1881 and suggested the name for the town on that occasion.(Submitted on September 18, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 30, 2022
3. Rice Flour Mill Grindstones
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 30, 2022
4. Rice Flour Mill Grindstones
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 30, 2022
5. Hubbard County Historical Museum (former County Courthouse)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 949 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 18, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
