Oak Mill was a small village which grew up around a major grain mill (for the surrounding area; I do not know its dates). This is an historic area: nearby there is a reconstruction of a Pony Express station; the Oregon Trail passed through here, and the area was also host to the famous Comstock Massacre in 1864. Submitted by: Kurt Wenner

In the early years the mill was used to grind grain with two large stones called burrs that were driven by a water turbine. Grain was also stored. The mill had equipment added to make puffed wheat cereal and grind a refine wheat for flour. After the flour and cereal business was discontinued, the floor was added to the large building and my father raised chickens on all the floors for sale of eggs. At the same time we were raising chickens, we were also grinding grain for the local farmers. My father quit raising chickens and shut down operations in the mill in 1965. The mill was sold in 1976 and tore down shortly after. Submitted by Larry Hoffman

Oak Mill
Courtesy Kurt Wenner

Oak Mill
Courtesy Kurt Wenner

The oldest picture looking northwest, and was taken before the largest part of the mill was built on the south side. Notice the building to the lower right, it has a paddle wheel or turbine to directly drive the mill's operations. The water was diverted from the Little Blue river through a "race". Courtesy Larry Hoffman

Looking east after the large part of the mill was added on. Notice the old truck in front. Also notice the writing on both buildings. Courtesy Larry Hoffman

Looking west. Notice the building in the front left, it was converted over to an electric turbine that powered not only the mill but all several towns around. Courtesy Larry Hoffman

Looking southeast and was the way the mill was after closing down operations. The building to the left housed the office and has a large scale where wagons with grain were weighted before processing. Courtesy Larry Hoffman

Looking east and was also taken after the mill closed operations. Notice that we added another floor to the larger part. Courtesy Larry Hoffman