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Mills and Springs
Rockbridge Mill | Aid - Hodgson Mill | Dawt Mill | Topaz Mill
Zanoni Mill |Summersville Mill | Falling Spring Mill | Turner Mill | Boze Mill
Alley Spring | Greer Spring | Blue Spring | Round Spring | Big Spring | Mammoth Spring
OzarksWatch Video Magazine/Ozarks Water Mills
The entire town of Rockbridge was destroyed by fire during the Civil War and a new town site was chosen near Morris Spring. One of the first structures built in 1868 was a new gristmill. Historic Rockbridge Mill still stands as a monument to the tenacity of Ozarks' pioneers. Today, the mill is the scenic center of a privately owned fishing resort, trout hatchery, game ranch, restaurant and lodge.
Built in 1894, Hodgson Mill remained in operation until 1977 and is now officially registered in the National Register of Historic Places.The mill is unique in that it was built into a rock bluff directly over the spring's 29 million gallon outflow. Located on beautiful Bryant Creek, a camping area across the mill branch provides opportunity to stay over and enjoy this scenic wonder.
Dawt Mill
Built in 1897, Dawt is the only water-powered grist mill located on the North Fork River. Dawt is now a resort with canoeing, lodging, camping, food and supplies. On weekends, visitors may view one of the mill grinding demonstrations and purchase fresh ground corn meal. Fresh baked goods can also be purchased at the bakery located in front of the mill. The view from the mill overlooking the trophy trout stream is amazing!
www.dawtmill.com
www.dawtrestaurant.com
Constructed in 1895 and hidden away in a valley along the upper North Fork of the White River, the mill is privately owned and preserved. The general store with the mill provided the center for the pioneer town of Topaz.
Summersville Mill
The Summersville Mill was built in 1886 by Jim McCaskill and is located on Hwy 106, on the east side of Summersville. Since Summersville did not have access to a spring, a steam engine originally powered the plant. Water came from a pond that still exists behind the mill. Two kerosene powered hit-and-miss engines replaced the steam engine and those engines are about the only thing missing from the mill. It's rare for a mill to still have its machinery. On the first floor, all the machinery stands in neat rows. Miles of steel shafts, wooden wheels and leather belts hang from the ceilings of the mill's three floors. The Summersville Milling Company was operated until the 1970's by the Donovan family. In 2002, the mill was donated to Summersville's Revitalization and Action Board and a restoration process began. Various activities and fun events are held at the mill. Appointments can be made for mill tours at: (417) 932-4184, (417) 932-6989 or (417) 932-5479.
http://summersvillemill.org
Falling Spring & Mill
Located on Hurricane Creek near the Eleven Point River, the spring is part of a small park maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. Enjoy crossing the footbridge that connects the spring branch to the mill pond. The mill was constructed in the 1920's of rough-hewn oak and was powered by the spring that emerges from the bluff above. It features one of the area's few wooden overshot waterwheels with much of its primitive machinery still intact. The first house built at Falling Spring was a log cabin, which is over 100 years old and still standing across from the mill.
Turner's Mill Spring
A spring branch boiling from beneath a rock in Oregon County prompted Clay Turner to haul a 25-foot tall steel mill wheel, in pieces, by mule train, to power a gristmill, sawmill and electric light for the town of Surprise. Now, the wheel stands alone in the spring branch a short walk from Surprise school, whose last graduating class was in 1945.
Boze Mill Spring
Nestled in a beautiful glen beside the Eleven Point River, Boze Mill Spring forms a sparkling blue pool which produces 12 million gallons of water per day.The historic 1880's turbine and hand-layered rock wall from the grist mill still exist. Located above the Riverton access,Boze Mill is a perfect starting point for tubing away the afternoon on a summer day.
Alley Spring & Mill
Located near Eminence, the spring empties 80 million gallons of water per day into the upper Jacks Fork River. It is one of the most frequently visited Ozarks' springs and holds the record for the largest measured flow. The mill was built in 1894 and is now a museum.Alley Mill is part of a park which includes a pioneer one-room schoolhouse,swimming and picnic areas,hiking trails and campgrounds.
Click to View: Alley Springs Video
Greer Spring
Steep but well marked, the trail to Greer Spring has been described as "half a mile down and five miles back." Named for Samuel W. Greer, who first harnessed the scenic spring north of Alton in the 1870s, it is now part of the Mark Twain National Forest. Its daily outflow of 220 million gallons of water more than doubles the size of the Eleven Point River into which it flows.
Blue Spring
Located east of Eminence on Hwy. 106 near Owls Bend, it is Missouri's 6th largest spring with an average flow of 90 million gallons per day. Blue Springs has been mapped to a depth of 310 feet, the deepest mapped spring in the state. The 17 acres surrounding the spring was declared a Natural Area in 1972 for the native flora.
Round Spring
Located on Hwy. 19 north of Eminence, this spring is one of the most beautiful in the Ozarks. It forms a pool of water that appears to be colored deep aquamarine blue tinted by the moss growing in and around it. Picnic facilities are scenic and spacious. A nearby cave contains unusual geological formations.
Big Spring
The largest single outlet spring in America, Big Spring is located in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways near Van Buren. Its water rises from the base of a limestone bluff and pours 276 million gallons of water per day into the nearby Current River. It is owned by the National Park Service and has a developed campground.
Mammoth Spring
Located just across the state line in Arkansas, it is named for the largest spring in Arkansas and is tenth largest in the world. The spring pours 9.78 million gallons an hour of cool, clear water into Spring Lake. It is also the headwaters of Spring River, a legendary trout stream. It is estimated that at least 90% of the flow comes from Missouri.
Mammoth Spring is an Arkansas State Park (approximately 27 miles southeast of West Plains). No camping is permitted, but picnicking and other recreation is allowed.