Near Dillard in Crawford County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Turning Water into Power

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 21, 2024

1. Turning Water into Power Marker

Inscription. Dillard Mill is one of Missouri's best preserved examples of a water-powered gristmill. The mill, which has been restored to operational order, was built around 1900 and continued to grind grain until 1956.

[Captions]
Note: Captions are listed in the order of the milling process, not as shown on the marker.
• All power for the mill was produced by this Samson turbine manufactured by the Leffel Co.
• Wooden and metal-teethed gears meshed together to transmit power to the drive shafts.
• The first step in the milling process was cleaning the grain. Cleaners removed dirt and debris from the corn or wheat before it entered the rest of the system.
• This roller mill was used for the first break where the husk was sheared from the wheat kernel.
• Dressers sifted the flour through progressively finer wire and silk reels. The sifter in the foreground was used for corn.
• Above is a reproduction of a flour sack used at this mill between 1930 and the 1950s.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 37° 43.195′ N,

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91° 12.285′ W. Marker is near Dillard, Missouri, in Crawford County. It can be reached from Dillard Mill Road (County Road 811) 1.6 miles south of State Highway 49, on the left when traveling south. Marker is by the parking area in Dillard Mill State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 142 Dillard Mill Rd, Davisville MO 65456, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Missouri. It is also in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

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,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Dillard Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Fish Raceway (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Mill Lodge (about 500 feet away); Dillard (about 500 feet away); Dillard Store and Post Office

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 21, 2024

2. Turning Water into Power Marker

Featured marker is on the left.

(about 700 feet away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 10.3 miles away).

The Dillard Mill image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 21, 2024

3. The Dillard Mill

Inside the Dillard Mill image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 21, 2024

4. Inside the Dillard Mill

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 27, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.