Smoky Valley Roller Mill - Restoration
1962-1981

The Smoky Valley Roller Mill property was deeded to the McPherson Fish and Game Commission in 1959 by the Runbeck Family.  In 1962 this property was deeded to  McPherson County to be used as a park and historical museum. 

The milling equipment remained just as it was when the mill shut down in 1955.  For many years the mill sat idle, the windows broken out and the belts deteriorating.  Some of the wood became wet and rotted, and the buildings became a home to all sorts of vermin and creatures. 

With the exception of clean-up and repairs to the roof and windows by the Lindsborg Lions Club, Rotary International and the Kiwanis Club there seemed to be little interest in a full restoration of the mill.  It was opened for limited visitation in 1962. 

However, Malcolm Esping of Lindsborg was convinced that a complete restoration was both possible and desirable, to preserve an example of early agricultural industry which was essential to the Smoky Valley in Kansas..  The Smoky Valley Roller Mill was the only water powered flour mill left in Kansas which contained its original machinery.  In 1971 an advisory committee was named which included several local residents and individuals of the press, Kansas State University Department of Milling in Manhattan, Kansas, and members of the milling industry and agricultural organizations. 

On February 23, 1972, one hundred years since the first mill was established on this site, the Smoky Valley Roller Mill was entered in the National Register of Historic Places.  This recognition helped stimulate interest in the full restoration project. 

The Smoky Valley Historical Association then assumed responsibility for the project in 1972.  A special committee was named to shoulder the task ahead: Dr. Duane Fredrickson, chairman, Ken Sjogren, Irva Brandt, Hugo Lindhahl, Chester Bruce, Malcolm Esping, Howard Patrick, and Mary Borg. 

1974 marked the centennial of the arrival of hard winter wheat in Kansas brought by Russian-German Immigrants.  Since this variety of wheat survives harsh winters, it was particularly suited to Kansas, the state would never have become the "bread basket to the world".  The significance of this immigrant contribution was not lost on Esping  and he began in earnest to raise funds for the restoration of the mill and dam. 

August 12-15, 1974 the first Smoky Valley Millfest was held to let people see the progress which was being made on the restoration of the milling equipment.  It would be another ten years before the Millfest celebration as it is today would be established. 

One Sunday afternoon George Tesarek, a veteran miller with Quaker Oats Company, St. Joseph, Missouri, visited the Smoky Valley Roller Mill Museum and began Complaining about the inaccurate labeling of machinery and misinformation about the milling of wheat into flour.  Malcolm Esping told Tesarek if he could do better then he ought to come down and help rather then just complaining!  Two years later, having retired from Quaker Oats, George Tesarek become the technical advisor to the restoration project.  Under Tesarek's direction, Malcolm Esping and Mary Borg supervised local volunteers and employees of the museum as they began the arduous task of completely restoring the mill to it's original operating condition.  Mr. Tesarek was involved in the restoration from 1974 to 1981.  He was especially grateful to Mr. Paul Witt of Wichita.  "Without Paul's help and counseling,"  Tesarek said,  "we never would have made it." 

Attempts to restore the dam and turbines were discontinued because of failure to obtain an easement from a nearby upstream land owner. 

The restoration project was completed on March 31,1981 at a cost of nearly $300,000 for parts and labor.  The thousands of volunteer hours were never totaled.  One day later, on April Fool's Day, flour was milled once again at the Smoky Valley Roller Mills.  No one knew if it would really work!  Many retired farmers and millers were on hand for that throw of the switch which would once again bring life to the Old Mill, people like Edgar Johnson, Titus Fredrickson, Fred Sundquist, Paul Pihl, Stanley Anderson, Jeff Wall, Art Gregg and many, many more.  In the wings were a handful of young folks who would be the next generation to keep the past alive. 

Millfest as an annual celebration with the mill in full operation began in May, 1984.  It has been held on the first weekend in May since.  Wheat was ground into flour in the mill only on April 1, 1981.  Because of the rigors of clean-up to overcome rodents and insects, it was decided after that first run to never grind wheat again, but rather to run the mill "dry" each year.