Seppman Mill

Seppman Mill. . , The Seppman wind mill produced flour until it fell victim to natural disasters and new milling technology., Construction Begins , Realizing the need for a local source of flour, Louis Seppman, a stone mason by trade, began construction of this mill in 1862. Two years later the mill was operational. On days with a favorable wind, Louis Seppman, could transform about 150 bushels of wheat a day into fairly good flour., Natural Disasters Hamper Operations , Operation went well until 1873 when lightning struck, knocking off two of the arms and sails. These were replaced and operation continued until 1880 when a tornado again tore off two arms. These were not replaced but operation continued until 1890 when another storm finally damaged the structure beyond repair. , Extensive structural damage, together with competition from water and steam powered mills and the invention of the "roller process," made this windmill unprofitable to operate. It never produced flour again and closed in 1890., Renovating the Mill , By the time these structures became a part of Minneopa State Park the mill had deteriorated and only the foundation of the granary remained. In 1970 the granary was completely rebuilt to its original dimensions with new materials. During the same time the mill's interior floors and stairs were refurbished, and its exterior walls repaired. A decade later the door and windows were replaced, and the cap-like roof was reshingled., Captions: , Artist's concept of what the mill might have looked like in full operation. , The Seppman Mill after it was damaged beyond repair in 1890.