Name/Title
DVD, Digital Video, Harris-Mill Park Program, 2005Description
A Special Note from a member of the Harris Family, Undated
You probably are wondering why this park is named "Harris Park" as you can't remember when it was a flour mill or anyone named Harris. My maiden name was Harris and some of the history of the mill has been handed down to me.
The original stone mill was built in 1849, by T. W. Marble.
My great-grandfather, Stephen Harris and my grand-father, Wm. Wallace Harris bought into the firm in 1870.
When I was young I thought it was called a sone mill because it was made of stone, but the wheat was ground between two large grind stones, one stationary and one rotated. At first it was powered with water, but that proved insufficient and a steam engine plant was installed west of the main building in 1851.
In 1880 a 40' by 40' addition was built on the east side. The mill was known a Marble, Harris and Butts, and a fifth roller mill was put in making it one of the best mills in Fond du Lac Co.
Due to rust in the Wheat in this area and other diversified farming, the milling business closed operation in 1912.
The Bldg. Stood idle until 1921, when it was bought by the Waupun Canning Co. They canned peas and cranberries.
Again it was idle and was bought by the Aluminum Foundry.
It became deserted and dangerous because of the deterioration of the bldg. and was torn down.
I lived most of my life in view of the mill and really was sad to see it go, but it was time, and now we have this lovely park to enjoy.
The Harris homestead was the big brick house on the corner of Mill and Monroe. Mill St runs from the prison to the former mill.Acquisition
Accession
2009.0042Source or Donor
Harris FamilyAcquisition Method
Donation
