STOCKDALE MILL RESTORATION

Restoration of the Stockdale Mill is a continuing process under the direction of the non-profit Stockdale Mill Foundation.

The mill was purchased in November, 2001 from the Krom (Deck) family. Attention was first given to the concrete and wooden beam foundation. Next the stuctural beams were aligned. The roof (severely damaged in a January 2002 storm) was replaced. The siding of the structure has been restored to the original form. Windows were reworked, and screens were installed over the duct exits.

A new roof was placed on the office area and the floor was replaced. The weigh shed was firmed-up, doors were rebuilt, and the roof replaced. Access ramps have been added. The supply shed to the north of the mill was reinforced and resided. The steel corn bin was firmed-up and painted.

A temporary coffer dam was placed to divert the river from the mill in order to access the race and sub-basement for cleaning and repair.
Reinforcing cement walls have been poured inside of the turbine and race areas as well as at the parapet at the north end of the dam.
A new grate was installed in the mill race.

The 3 turbines were removed and rebuilt. The turbines were reinstalled in April 2003.
On September 5, 2003 all three turbines were spinning once again after being silent for over 30 years.

New electrical service has been being installed for lighting and maintenance.
The first and third floors have seen new oak flooring installed.
Landscaping is progressing.

A "Welcome Center" has been added in the former supply shed.
Restroom facilities have been built.
A telephone cable marring the view from the bridge has now been relocated by the phone company.
The office has been insulated and new ceiling, walls, flooring installed.
External lighting is installed.

Milling machinery is being refurbished.
The main line shaft for the flour milling equipment is once again active, being powered by two water turbines.
The large wooden pulleys for this shaft have been restored.
The four large roller mill machines on the main floor are once again in position and active.
New belting drives the equipment in the basement and main floor.
The 65 foot belt that transferes power from the basement line shaft to the line shaft at the top of the
second floor has been installed making the second floor shaft operational.
Belting now transfers power to the top floor (up to the peak of the roof !).

The "receiving seperator" (wheat cleaner, fanning mill) is running.
The wheat scourer on the top floor (second wheat cleaning machine) is operational.
The small wheat scourer in the basement (third wheat cleaning machine) is operational.
The large swing sifter is partially restored - synchronizing the "swing" is a challange.
The flour packer has been restored.
Two "middlings grinders" in the basement and one on the main floor are running.

A 1910 "Meadows Mill" was purchased from North Carolina. It is installed and operated by the west water turbine. In now stone grinds cornmeal and whole wheat flour.

Twelve bucket elevators are being reconstructed. The wooden "legs" have been lifted and the "heads" aligned with the power shaft at the peak of the top floor. Wooden "boots" have been reconstructed and fitted at the bottoms of the elevators in the basement. A 5 foot wooden pulley (190 pounds) has been restored. Belting now powers this pulley to drive the bank of elevators. Most of the elevators are currently operating.

Under the covered driveway, or "weigh shed", the wagon scales have been refurbished and the platform covered with new heavy planking. The dump bin behind the wagon scales has been fully reconstructed. The drag chain which runs through the bottom of the dump bin to pull wheat into the mill is now operational.

At the old well site, a new well was drilled. An reproduction hand pump has been installed. An old windmill was refurbished an erected over the pump. Water can now be pumped by hand or with a breeze the windmill will do the pumping.

We have been blessed with people from the community assisting in unbelievable ways to restore the mill. So much of the material used to repair and rebuild the structure as well as thousands of hours of labor have been donated .

- prior to restoration -

Volunteers are actively working on the building, dam & race, milling equipment, and property.
Also volunteers conduct tours, relate history, do historical research, and develop promotional materials.

BE A VOLUNTEER !

Volunteer work days for 2007: Most Mondays and Tuesdays beginning March 29 through October.

Goals and Projects

MILESTONE
4:45PM, September 5, 2003
Water below the mill surged and churned. Muck and debris bubbled up from the turbine discharge. Immediately the turbine began picking up speed. Hooray! The gates had just been opended to allow water into the turbine. The mill came to life for the first time since 1964. Soon it was joined by the other two turbines, all

A Saturday tour group views water rushing in the race.

running smoothly at about 80 rpm with a low hum. The race was now a rush of water headed for the turbines and out to the river below.

This was the culmination of a tremendous amount of work by mill volunteers. First the installation of the coffer dam, the removal of mud from the race and flume, removal of the turbines, concrete work in the race and flume, reconstruction of turbine parts, rebuilding the turbines, placing and aligning the turbines back in place, reworking the gate controls, reconstructing and fitting the debris grates, and finally removing the coffer dam to let the water in. All present were suprised by how perfectly the turbines were running and how responsive they were to the gate controls. Congratulations to all who had a hand in providing this to the community.

Although the turbines seemed to be begging for work, no load was available for them. All belts and line shaft gears have been pulled back, these await further reconstruction before use.