Near Salem in Washington County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Indiana Pioneers Maj. George and Betsy Beck

1808

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 16, 2024

1. Indiana Pioneers Maj. George and Betsy Beck Marker

Inscription. George Beck with his wife Betsy and seven children migrated from North Carolina to this place and built the first mill on this site 1808. They were among the first settlers in this part of Indiana Territory, George was a Revolutionary War soldier and later a Major in the Harrison County Militia during the War of 1812. He was present at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811.

The first mill was only 15x15 feet and built of stone and logs. It was replaced in the 1820s by a larger frame structure, which was destroyed by fire in 1863. The present mill was built by George Beck, Jr. and his son David and opened in 1864. George Beck died in 1847 and Betsy died earlier the same year; both are laid to rest in the Beck Cemetery.

Erected 2008 by Descendants.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1808.

Location. 38° 32.204′ N, 86° 9.285′ W. Marker is near Salem, Indiana, in Washington County. It is

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on South Becks Mill Road 0.2 miles south of Mill Creek Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4433 S Becks Mill Rd, Salem IN 47167, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Morgan Plans to Attack Salem (approx. 3½ miles away); Salem Speedway (approx. 4.4 miles away); Burning the Salem Railroad Station (approx. 5.4 miles away); Morgan's Raid (approx. 5.6 miles away); Salem Suffers (approx. 5.6 miles away); Washington County Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.6 miles away); Washington County Honor Rolls Memorial (approx. 5.6 miles away); a different marker also named Washington County Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 16, 2024

2. Indiana Pioneers Maj. George and Betsy Beck Marker

The 1864 mill, built by the Major's son and grandson, is in the background.

of all markers in Salem.

Also see . . .
1. History of Beck's Mill. George Beck and his wife Elizabeth (Betsy) Claver and their children John Jacob Beck, George Beck, Jr., Susannah Beck, Andrew Milton Beck, David Beck, Jacob Beck, and William B. Beck traveled from Rowan, North Carolina in 1807 seeking to explore the "West" and redeem a government offer of land to all military veterans who had served in the Revolutionary War. (Friends of Beck's Mill) (Submitted on July 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Beck's Mill (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the mill, which was listed in 1990. (Prepared by Jane R. Nolan, Indiana University; via National Archives) (Submitted on July 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 390 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.