C. H. Guenther Pioneer Flour Mill -- San Antonio TX
N 29° 24.701 W 098° 29.755
14R E 548901 N 3253703
The C. H. Guenther Mill was formerly powered by water from the San Antonio River in San Antonio TX
Waymark Code: WMXNDH
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 02/02/2018
Views: 5
The C. H. Guenther Mill in San Antonio TX, is the oldest family owned business in TX and the oldest continuously family-operated milling company in the US.
It began operations in 1859, using water power from the San Antonio River to grind wheat into flour. The mill's founder, C. H. Guenther, traded mill product credits to the farmers of Castroville in exchange for their labor digging the mill race for the water wheel that powered the mill's grinding machinery. The old mill race is still visible today, 120 years after the mill wheel was dismantled and the mill equipment converted to use steam power (and in the 1920s, electricity) for grinding wheat.
A sign at the rear of the Guenther House near the millrace reads as follows:
"MORE THAN 150 YEARS OF MILLING
Carl Guenther & Sons Inc, THE OLDEST FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS IN TEXAS and THE OLDEST MILLING COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES CONTINUOUSLY OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE SAME FAMILY.
1851
Carl Hilmar Guenther, a 24-year-old German immigrant, arrives in Fredericksburg Texas to build his own flour mill on Live Oak Creek. The mill is successful, but it’s succession of floods and droughts prompt him to consider greater opportunities.
1859
C. H. Guenther and his growing family move some 65 miles southeast to the fast-growing town of San Antonio. He purchases a mill site within a sharp bend of the river outside town, on the site of the present-day operation. In exchange for credit on the books of the future mill, farmers from Castroville dig deep millrace. The chilled water turns the mill wheel and powers grinding by two hand-chiseled millstones, imported from France and of the finest quality. The mill opens the following year.
1868
As demand for flour and cornmeal grows, Guenther increases his capacity by building a second mill a quarter of a mile upstream, toward downtown. Its operations moved to the main mill when steam power is added 3 decades later. Some of its solid limestone foundations are visible today.
1899
Pioneer and White Wings flour brands are created. The picture of the bearded founder goes on flour sacks for the first time. The mill incorporates as C. H. Guenther & Son, Inc. under the management of Guenther’s youngest son, Erhard, who becomes president after his father’s death in 1902. He remains in the position until his death in 1945. Having only two chief executives in 94 years lends a stability that still underlies the company’s growth beyond its 150th anniversary in 2001."
Current Status: Still In Use
Current Use: Flour mill (electric powered)
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