Watkins Fruit Dry House Bicentennial Project - Excelsior, MO
N 39° 24.612 W 094° 15.582
15S E 391551 N 4363055
In 1976 the Daughters of the American Revolution restored the Fruit Dry House on the Watkins farm as a Bicentennial project; later that year the Watkins Mill became a Clay County Historic Landmark.
Waymark Code: WMR1TJ
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 04/29/2016
Views: 5
In 1976 the Daughters of the American Revolution restored the Fruit Dry House on the Watkins farm as a Bicentennial project; later that year the Watkins Mill became a Clay County Historic Landmark.
A plaque reads:
Clay County Historical Society, Historic Landmark
Watkins Mill
This farm, established by Walthus L. Watkins, centered around his woolen factory built 1860-61. It operated for 40 years with mass production machines. This farm (Bethany) also boasted a grist mill, flour mill and saw mill, church and octagonal school house.
Bicentennial 1976
Waltus Watkins, a farmer and businessman built the woolen mill in 1860 and produced a dozen different fabrics, a variety of blankets, yarn, and batting. He also built a gristmill and sawmill, planted a sizeable orchard, and raised shorthorn cattle, sheep, horses, and hogs. His bee hives still stand behind the house; the family sold honey, made their own butter and cheese, canned and dried the fruit and vegetables that they raised, and cured meat. Flour and cornmeal was produced in the gristmill and sold in stores. The woolen mill was finally closed in the late 1890’s, but the family continued to farm the land until 1945. The woolen mill remains just has it did during operation. Inside a display of bowls of raw wool, a lathe, wood turning tools, and other artifacts from that time period is on display for visitors.
The property became a state historic site in 1964, was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, and is now operated by the Missouri DNR as part of the state park.
The museum displays told more about the Watkins’ farm and their industry and has an automated loom operating in the back of the room. A variety of primitive tools, a two seat horse-drawn carriage, grindstone, hand plow, and other implements were also on exhibit.
Supporting Web Documentation: [Web Link]
Address or General Location of Marker: Watkins Mill State Park (outside the museum)
Parking: Not Listed
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