Beaver Crossing in Seward County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Beaver Crossing Mill

Photographed by Joan Shurtliff, September 1, 2014

1. The Beaver Crossing Mill Marker

Inscription. This millstone is believed to be from the gristmill built by William Smith in 1871 on the Big Blue River south of Beaver Crossing. W. J. Thompson took over the mill in 1873, and it continued to operate until about 1917.

Gristmills were an essential industry for the settlement of Nebraska, processing locally-grown grain into flour, cornmeal, and feed. There may have been as many as 160 water-powered mills in Nebraska in 1890, before their numbers began to decline.

Erected by Beaver Crossing Chamber of Commerce; Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 394.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 40° 46.607′ N, 97° 16.629′ W. Marker is in Beaver Crossing, Nebraska, in Seward County. It can be reached from Elk Street. The marker is located in Beaver Crossing City Park, accessible from the south of the park (Elk Street), perhaps 150 feet north of the park entrance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beaver Crossing NE 68313, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska and in Greater Lincoln.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles

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of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Beaver Crossing, Nebraska (within shouting distance of this marker); Nebraska City Cut-Off of the Oregon Trail (approx. 10.1 miles away); PFC Charley Havlat (approx. 12½ miles away); 1879 Exeter 1979 (approx. 13 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 13 miles away); Seward, 4th of July City (approx. 13 miles away); William Henry Seward / Artists David and Judith Rubin (approx. 13 miles away); Plum Creek Prairie Historic Site (approx. 13.2 miles away).

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2014

2. The Beaver Crossing Mill Marker

The Beaver Crossing Mill Marker <i>on far left</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2014

3. The Beaver Crossing Mill Marker on far left

Beaver Crossing Nebraska Marker is on the right.

The Beaver Crossing Mill image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2014

4. The Beaver Crossing Mill

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2014, by Joan Shurtliff of Seward, Nebraska. This page has been viewed 945 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 1, 2014, by Joan Shurtliff of Seward, Nebraska. 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 16, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.