NRHP: Neligh Mill Elevators (Boundary Increase)
Contents
Neligh Mill Elevators (boundary increase)
NRHP Reference #: 83003982
NRHP Listing Date: 19831215
Location
111 W 2nd, Neligh, Antelope County, Nebraska
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Summary
The Neligh Mill, constructed in 1873-74 on the Elkhorn River, is one of hundreds of mills established during Nebraska's early settlement years, but would eventually become the largest milling company in northeastern Nebraska. John D. Neligh, founder of the town, had the mill built to encourage rural settlement and town growth. By 1900 the prospering mill was shipping flour throughout the U.S. and Europe. Elevators (1886 and 1899) and a warehouse (1886) provided the storage capacity needed to assure a ready market for grain grown in the region. Stephen F. Gilman overhauled the mill's water power system during his tenure as owner from 1898-1915. The flume and penstock were rebuilt, the dike system was reinforced and new concrete and steel dams were constructed across the Elkhorn River in 1909 and the Merritt Cut-off in 1912. Despite such efforts, harnessing the Elkhorn River proved a constant challenge and water power was permanently abandoned after a disastrous flood in 1920. Water power usage is still evident at Neligh Mill and within a 40 acre upriver site across the Elkhorn River.
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About the National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the country’s official list of historically significant properties. To be eligible for the NRHP a property must generally retain their historic appearance, be at least 50 years old, and have the potential to be documented as historically or architecturally significant at either the local, state, or national level. The National Register of Historic Places is a National Park Service program administered by the Nebraska State Historical Society for the state of Nebraska. Visit the Nebraska State Historical Society's website to learn more about the program.
