Saint Croix Falls in Polk County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Thompson–Boughton Mill

1878 – 1914

Photographed by Keith L, October 15, 2008

1. Thompson–Boughton Mill Marker

(photo caption) The James Thompson Mill, at left. The residence of millwright William Boughton, right.

Inscription. This millstone is the last remnant of the flour mill that operated on the river bank a half-mile to the south. Power was provided by the stream that now tumbles down a rocky slope on the north boundary of the Wisconsin Interstate Park.

Pieces of chert, a quartz-like stone mined in Germany, are tightly secured by a metal band to form this millstone. Four feet in diameter, the mill stone weighs about 1,500 pounds.

Sponsored by the St. Croix Falls Historical Society
In Cooperation with the City of St. Croix Falls
1998

[Added at a later date]
This millstone was found and preserved by
Dr. Fred Riegel, who donated it to
this historical display.

Erected 1998 by the St. Croix Falls Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1998.

Location. 45° 24.758′ N, 92° 38.712′ W. Marker is in Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin, in Polk County. It can be reached from North Washington Street (State Highway 87) north of River Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Croix Falls WI 54024, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area

and in Western Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

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 the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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: River Spirit (a few steps from this marker); Where Are The Falls of the St. Croix? (within shouting distance of this marker); Gaylord Nelson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Where are the Falls? (approx. ¼ mile away); Saint Croix Falls Hydroelectric Project (approx. half a mile away in Minnesota); Chisago Hotel (approx. 0.8 miles away in Minnesota); First Settlement, buildings, steamboat (approx. 0.8 miles away in Minnesota); Town House School (approx. 0.9 miles away in Minnesota). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saint Croix Falls.

Thompson–Boughton Mill Marker and Millstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, October 15, 2008

2. Thompson–Boughton Mill Marker and Millstone

Nearby James Knox Polk Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, October 15, 2008

3. Nearby James Knox Polk Marker

11th President 1845 – 1849
Member-Masonic Lodge No. 31
Columbia, Tennessee
Peace and Friendship
Wisconsin-30th State-1848

Administrative Goals Accomplished
• Acquired California and New Mexico Territories from Mexico
• Established Oregon Territory Northwest Boundary
• Created Independent U.S. Treasury Department
• Modified Tariff System To Reduce Protectionism
• Established U.S. Naval Academy - Smithsonian Institution - The Department of the Interior
• Admitted Texas, Iowa & Wisconsin as States
St. Croix Falls Masonic Lodge No. 275
St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin

Thompson–Boughton Mill and Polk Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, October 15, 2008

4. Thompson–Boughton Mill and Polk Marker

Thompson–Boughton Mill Marker Update image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 8, 2014

5. Thompson–Boughton Mill Marker Update

Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,325 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on February 20, 2023, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 21, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 5. submitted on November 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.