Warren in Marshall County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Erickson Mill Stones

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 29, 2022

1. Erickson Mill Stones Marker

Inscription.
Mr. and Mrs. Ole G. Erickson came to Section 31 of Spruce Valley in 1885, from Wisconsin, where they lived for a short time after coming from Sweden.

In 1897, Mr. Erickson made a pair of burs to grind feed, out of a field rock. Erickson sold them and made another pair of larger burs, about 3 feet across. They were needed to grind feed faster as more grain was coming in from the West Spruce Valley, New Maine, Newfolden and Holt Townships.

When the whistle of the steam engine blew, teams of horses with wagons began coming to the mill. At times there were several lined up waiting their turn.

Each teamster had to carry his sacks of grain upstairs and empty them into a big tank. Then he was told to go into the house for coffee. If it was dinner time he got a big dinner. Mrs. Erickson and their daughters practically ran a free restaurant with plenty to eat! • • • Spruce Valley Mill Stones
Donated by Otto & Evelyn Anderson 1988
cut by Ole. G. Erickson 1895
Mill in Sec 31 & 32 of Spruce Valley Twp.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Immigration • Industry & Commerce •

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Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 48° 12.026′ N, 96° 45.608′ W. Marker is in Warren, Minnesota, in Marshall County. It is on East Johnson Avenue just east of Farm Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The marker and mill stones are in Settler's Square at the Marshall County Fairgrounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 808 East Johnson Avenue, Warren MN 56762, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Northland. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the Northern Plains.

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 Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: March Farm Cook Car (here, next to this marker); Landreville Cabin (within shouting distance

Spruce Valley Mill Stones image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 29, 2022

2. Spruce Valley Mill Stones

of this marker); Cook School (within shouting distance of this marker); Alma Lutheran Church (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Alma Lutheran Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Battlefield Cross (approx. 9.6 miles away); Argyle Veterans Memorial (approx. 9.6 miles away).

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 29, 2022

3. Erickson Mill Stones Marker

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 29, 2022

4. Erickson Mill Stones Marker

Erickson Mill Stone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 29, 2022

5. Erickson Mill Stone

Erickson Mill Stones image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 29, 2022

6. Erickson Mill Stones

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 29, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.