Near Afton in Washington County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Bolles Flour Mill
Photographed By Keith L, July 22, 2008
1. Bolles Flour Mill Marker
Inscription.
Bolles Flour Mill. . About 1843, six years before Minnesota became a territory, Lemuel Bolles erected on this creek the first commercial flour mill in the Minnesota country. Bolles salvaged wood from the shore of Lake St. Croix and carried it on his back to the mill site a mile and a half upstream. Lacking nails, he used wooden pegs in the construction of a small mill. First built for grinding corn and wheat, the mill was later remodeled and was in operation as late as 1875 when Bolles died. The stream on which the mill was built became known as Bolles Creek. , Erected by the Washington County Historical Society in cooperation with the Minnesota Highway Department · 1959
About 1843, six years before Minnesota became a territory, Lemuel Bolles erected on this creek the first commercial flour mill in the Minnesota country. Bolles salvaged wood from the shore of Lake St. Croix and carried it on his back to the mill site a mile and a half upstream. Lacking nails, he used wooden pegs in the construction of a small mill. First built for grinding corn and wheat, the mill was later remodeled and was in operation as late as 1875 when Bolles died. The stream on which the mill was built became known as Bolles Creek.
Erected by the Washington County Historical Society in cooperation with the Minnesota Highway Department · 1959
Erected 1959 by the Washington County Historical Society in cooperation with the Minnesota Highway Department.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1843.
Location. 44° 54.533′ N, 92° 46.843′ W. Marker is near Afton, Minnesota, in Washington County. Marker is on Saint Croix Trail North (County Highway 18 / 21) 0.3 miles north of Stagecoach Trail South (County Highway 21), on the right when traveling north. Marker is at a highway pull-off. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Afton MN 55001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,425 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 17, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
