and Ann Michelsen

In November of 1898, a flourmill was built in Leland under the direction of Pleasant Bradford, Archibald Gardner and C.U. Bradford. The building was three-story building with a basement and measured 55 x 32 feet. Water from the Spanish Fork River was used to power the mill. By the spring of 1899, the mill was in full operation providing the settlers not only with milled grains, but also employment opportunities.

The mill changed hands a number of times during those years and in 1961-62, the milling of flour ended. Since then the mill has been used for the processing of feed for cattle. Farmers have it milled and mixed with their own needed formula for livestock.

The memories I have of the Leland Roller Mills is neither of flour nor the processing of grains, but it has to do with clothing and fashion. That may sound a bit unusual, but back then paper was not as available, nor was it used to package dry goods as it is today.

After the flour was milled, it was placed into sturdy, white, cloth sacks. Each sack had the name LELAND ROLLER MILLS stamped on it. This was a permanent stamp and almost never washed out. After purchasing and using the flour, the sacks were never thrown away. The stitches along the sides and bottom of the sacks were carefully unpicked and then the sacks were washed and dried. From this fabric, clothing was made. I can remember wearing bloomers with the name LELAND ROLLER MILLS stamped across the bottom. Women used those sacks not only for underwear, but also used them for dishtowels, milk strainers, stuffing, quilting, doll clothes and whenever fabric was needed. Fabric wasn’t as available with the choices we have today and often was too expensive. Thank goodness for those flour sacks we had to provide us with not only food but also clothing.

And that’s the way it was.

This story appeared in Spanish Fork Press on page A2.

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