War Eagle Mill – Rogers, Arkansas
Gristmills have been a part of the American heritage since the beginning of the country. People brought their grain to the mill to be ground for flour, corn meal and more. Today there are few gristmills left and even less that are still functioning as they did years ago. One of those that is still working is the War Eagle Mill near Rogers, Arkansas.
Doug Walsh is the manager of the water powered gristmill which has been functioning as an asset to the community since 1832. He is always ready to welcome the guests that come to see the operation and study the history of the mill. They are interested in the wood floors that have been there since the mill was built.
The mill was originally built by homesteader Sylvanus Blackburn to serve the neighboring farmers (and make some money at the same time.) When floods washed away his first mill in 1838 and then the Confederate soldiers torched his second mill during he Civil Was to keep the Union soldiers from using it they build another one. That one burned in 1924. You have to remember that grain dust is highly flammable and the slightest spark can set the whole place of fire. He didn’t build another one but not all was lost, Jewel Medlin’s family rebuilt the mill on its original foundation in 1973 so life continues for the mill.
Waster from the creek strikes the bottom of an 18 foot undershot water wheel that powers pulleys, belts and gears to turn the 30 inch diameter French burrstones, which grind the grain. This stone is an open-textured, porous but touch, fine-grained sandstone, or a silicified, fossiliferous limestone. French burrstones, used for finer grinding. It is not cut from one piece, but built up from sections of quartz, cemented together with plaster, and bound with iron bands. French Burr comes from the Marne Valley in northern France.
The gristmill that was built by the Blackburn’s was actually more than just a location to get the grain milled, it was also a place where neighbors came and had picnics and parties while waiting for the grain to be milled. Having the mill located in an area that was convenient for the neighbors was a blessing for everyone. Otherwise the closest mill was 25 miles from the Blackburn’s homestead. Imagine trying to regularly haul grain 25 miles at that time period just to get it ground. Not a quick trip for any of those that needed it done.
The War Eagle Mill is the only working mill in Arkansas, and it is still powered by an eighteen-foot cypress waterwheel. The owners believe it to be the only undershot water wheel currently in operation the United States.
Visitors to War Eagle Mill relish the experience of seeing actual milling being done on site. Visiting the Mill is an interactive history lesson, as well as a true depiction of the tried and true slow process developed a century earlier that preserves the rich nutrients remaining in the grain.The Mill today holds true to the founder’s values: Use the finest quality grains, grind fresh daily, and keep your customers coming back for more!
Open Seven Days a Week
The mill, gift shop and restaurant are open every day 8:30am to 5:00 pm.
Holiday Hours
They love spending the holidays with YOU! Please come for fun on New Years Day, Memorial Day, Mother’s Day or even just any old “Thurs” Day! They are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Christmas Eve at 2pm, and New Year’s Eve at 3pm. January and February, the mill, gift shop and restaurant are closed Mondays – Thursdays. They are open normal business hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Tours:
They have both formal and informal tours. Both tours are FREE! The informal tour is a quick and casual overview of the Mill, while the formal tour is longer and more indepth–so if you would like the formal version you will need to call ahead to arrange a time with their tour manager, at 866-492-7324 (extension 305).
Their free informal tours are provided by request, and they are given by their knowledgeable staff on each floor. At any time the miller will be happy talk to you about the general history of the mill and the milling operations using the river to power our stone buhrs. In the second floor gift shop, the clerks enjoy telling stories about the founders of the mill, Sylvanus and Catherine Blackburn. The third floor Bean Palace Restaurant staff may even have a ghost story or two to share!
They also offer Mill tours for groups on buses. Your tour experience starts on the bus with a short history of the Mill, the legend of War Eagle and an introduction of the products. Civil War history abounds in War Eagle Valley and guests relish the human stories surrounding the North/South conflict. They can walk through time across a 101 year old bridge to view the oldest house in Benton County, built by the Mill’s original owners,, Sylvanus and Catherine Blackburn. Self-guided tours are also an option and we’re always there to answer questions.
The mill is located along the War Eagle River approximately 15 miles east of Rogers , or 25 miles southwest of Eureka Springs.
Local: 479-789-5343
Toll Free: 1-866-4-WarEagle (492-7324)
Fax: 479-789-5100
Email: info@wareaglemill.com