We saw an item in our local newspaper about the rebuilt Jasper City Mill that stone grinds corn to make corn meal and grits. So we went on a day trip to visit and buy some corn meal.
The first thing I did was take photos of the mill from the back. It was a gloomy day as you can see. This is the third mill to built on this site. The first mill burned down and the second was torn down due to old age. When they wanted to rebuild it this time the Corp of Army Engineers gave them a lot of trouble. They wouldn't let them put it right on the river....it would "impede boat traffic". What boats? This river is suitable for canoes at best. So they built it 20 feet out of the river. Then they were told they couldn't draw water from the river to run the wheel.....the water would have to be treated before putting it back in the river. So they run the wheel with city water stored in a tank and then recycle it. Sigh....progress??
The "mighty" river next to the mill.
Looking downriver. They have a nice river walk along the river and across the bridge I am standing on.
We came to buy corn flour and it was quite reasonable.
The corn is sorted into 4 sizes: Corn, Grits, Corn Meal, and Corn Flour.
The corn
Sorter? I should have let Mike caption these photos.
One type of screen used to size the ground corn
Gears and pulleys
The old stone grinding wheel that they use.
Tools
A sorter
They had lots of nice things for tourists to buy :-) Wooden bowls.
Someone had painted wildlife on feathers. Very nice! Wonder how they got permission to do this, unless the artist is an Indian? You are not allowed to pick up feathers and keep them....did you know that? Not even from your own yard. And not just eagle and hawk feathers, but pretty much all feathers.
NOTE: Just found this note on the Internet about this: "The Migratory Bird Treaty Act decreed that all migratory birds and their parts (including eggs, nests, and feathers) were fully protected."
NOTE: Just found this note on the Internet about this: "The Migratory Bird Treaty Act decreed that all migratory birds and their parts (including eggs, nests, and feathers) were fully protected."
Jams, jellies and sauces. We bought some Blueberry Butter and some Apple Barbecue Sauce.
Looking upwards inside the mill.
An old stove....the historic corner.
Old equipment.
It was interesting and we bought some stone ground corn meal and some blueberry pancake flour.
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13 comments:
That looks like a really interesting place and it's always nice to be able to take something away too! (-: Blueberry pancake mix sounds yum!
By the way Mary, I had to put anti spam thing back on my blog as I was getting LOADS of spam coming through. )-:
Very interesting. I learned something new.I never knew that you should not pick up feathers and keep them.
Nothing beats seeing how food is made and then buying it to eat Mary.
Hi Mary, The Jasper City Mill looks like an awesome place to visit. There is so much history there. I'd love it.
AND --getting the Blueberry Butter and the Apple BBQ Sauce and some corn meal and blueberry pancake flour had to have made the trip even more special... How NEAT!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
Thanks everyone! I added a note in my blog about picking up feathers. It is part of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The intent it to keep people from killing birds for their feathers and eggs and such, but it seems a little silly for those of us who just happen to find a feather on the ground and want to save it.
Jenny: Sorry that you are getting spammed. I always wonder why some get so much spam.
A fascinating post, Mary. And thank you for your comment on my blog. The mill looks wonderful ... and you have made me wonder about our UK laws on the subject of feathers. Just as well we don't rely on quills! And for the record, of course I would hate any birds to be harmed!
I love the feathers with the paintings!! I really wonder how they can do that, without the feathers all separating!!
Is that a state law, or a federal one? I would ask if it applies in Canada, too, but I bet you haven't a clue...
What a neat place, I enjoyed your tour, thanks Mary.
Hi Mary... Great and interesting post!!
Wow I didn't know about the feather,and etc where protected!!!
The painting on the feathers are amazing though!!
Thanks for sharing this place Mary I enjoyed it!!
Grace
I enjoyed all of these...and would love to have that old stove in the corner.
I knew that about the feathers...but before I did, I used to pick up hawk feathers at work...and stick them on my tractor and sometimes them in my car at the end of the day.
What a wonderful tour! Silly about the mill though! BTW, the feather may be from domestic birds, like turkeys or chickens. Some people even paint them to look like wild bird feathers. I suspect the artist has done this. Lovely post.
What a grand old mill. I always love that some folks preserve these kinds of things. There is one down state Pennsylvania too that has been made into a craft center. Mostly old timey stuff. I love going there.
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