By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

County residents wanting to learn more about Phelps Mill can easily find that information by accessing the website for the Otter Tail County Historical Society which operates the county museum in Fergus Falls.

Below is a timeline for Phelps Mills, located in central Otter Tail County just north of County Highway 1 and a few miles west of Otter Tail Lake. This is a county-owned park enjoyed by hundreds of people each year.

The Friends of Phelps Mill is an active group of volunteer mill enthusiasts. They are a standing committee of the Otter Tail County Historical Society. The goals of the group includes the collection, preservation and interpretation of Phelps Mill and its history.

• 1886 – The site of the mill was purchased by William E. Thomas. However, it was not until 1889 that work began on the mill.

• 1887 – A wood dam is planned, followed by construction.

• 1889 – The flour mill took eight months to build and by December of 1889 “The Maine Roller Mills” began operation.

• 1895 – A three story addition was built to meet the demands for grinding feed, buckwheat and rye.

• 1906 – Ray Phelps becomes head miller.

• 1908 – The wood dam developed serious leaks and was replaced by the concrete and rubble rock dam.

• 1920 – William E. Thomas sold the operation to the Farmers Mercantile Company for $33,500.

• 1928 – The Farmers Mercantile Company sold the building to H. G. Everson for $10,500.

• 1939 – Phelps Mill closes.

• 1965 – The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of county residents, purchases Phelps Mill and adjoining property.

• 1975 – Phelps Mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.