Topaz Mill and Spring, Missouri - #

Topaz Mill with its Topaz Spring are located in Douglas County, Missouri. It is one of literally hundreds of mills throughout the state of Missouri, some portion of which has been preserved. This mill is still operational. It is in the private ownership of Mr. O'Neal, who when available is generally willing to show people through the mill and the adjacent general store.

Because of the abundance of deep springs with high flows, and gushing rivers , the settlers in the Missouri Ozarks had no lack of good locations for grist mills and saw mills, both essential adjuncts to successful farming communities. Missouri has kept and treasured this special heritage. A visit to the Ozarks wouldn't be complete without seeing one or more of these surviving relics of a bygone era.

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Topaz Mill. Est. 1840, rebuilt 1895.

Right end (east? end). The front is to the left in the picture. The mill is run by water from Topaz Spring, which empties into the upper North Fork of the White River, Douglas County, Missouri.

Topaz Mill, Douglas Co. Missouri, North Fork White River.

The old paddle wheel, still mounted above the mill race. Given the state of milling technology at the time of the mill rebuild (1895), I'd say that turbine power, and not paddle wheel power, was installed at that time. Perhaps the paddle wheel was retained out of sense of sentiment or nostalgia. When the paddle wheel was in use, it was an undershot wheel.

Topaz Mill, est. 1840, rebuilt 1985.

Douglas Co. Missouri, North Fork White River.

Sign on the Topaz Mill, Douglas County, Missouri. The mill is powered by water from Topaz Spring, but it is built next to the North Fork White River, into which the Spring would empty naturally, were it not for the diversion of its water for use by the mill.

Topaz Mill, Douglas Co. Missouri, Ozarks.

It isn't clear that this two room, one story extension was part of the original mill. Certainly it serves no function in the gristmill operation. Part of it apparently served as a barbershop (!) during the final days of the mill's commercial operation, if the ancient barber's chair, and the chalked sign on the wall are any indication.

Topaz Mill, Douglas Co. Missouri, North Fork White River.

A 19th century grist mill, currently owned by Mr. O'Neal, who cheerfully offers tours of the inside of the mill and the neighboring general store.

The White River runs clear and cold behind the mill. Topaz Spring lies a couple hundred feet to the right. Its flow is fed into the millrace, where it can, at the miller's choice, run through the millrace to the turbine beneath the mill, or be allowed to join the White River.

Topaz Mill machinery. A roller mill, possibly. 'Great Western Mfg. Co., Leavenworth, Kan.'

Topaz Mill: Sign on interior wall. The staps with metal cups attached, hanging next to the sign, are for feeding grain from the basement level up to the chutes that distribute grain to the various mills.

Topaz Mill. Est. 1840, rebuilt 1895.

Right end (east? end). The front is to the left in the picture. The mill is run by water from Topaz Spring, which empties into the upper North Fork of the White River, Douglas County, Missouri.