The Benson Gristmill

History

In September 1849, the first settlers arrived in Utah’s Tooele Valley. While seeking reliable water power sources, they selected a site on Twin Springs Creek, where a sawmill—later known as Benson’s Saw Mill—was constructed by the spring of 1851. Though eventually destroyed, the sawmill began a vital industrial hub at a spring producing 3,000 gallons of water per hour.

By 1854, a grist mill was constructed nearby under the direction of Thomas Lee, who was hired by a church corporation that included Apostle Ezra Taft Benson, Benjamin Crosland, and John Rowberry. The mill was part of Brigham Young’s broader vision to establish an industrial center in the region, alongside a woolen mill (now in ruins), a shoe mill, and adobe home manufacturing.

The grist mill played an essential economic role for the community, grinding wheat and corn for nearly a century. Ownership of the mill reflected larger economic trends in Utah: initially part of a church cooperative, it became privately owned by Benson in 1866, later returned to church control in the 1870s, and by 1900 was operated by the Richville Milling Company. In 1922, J. Reuben Clark Jr. purchased the mill, attempting commercial flour production. However, the small-scale operation could not compete with larger mills statewide. In 1936, a hammer mill was installed to grind livestock feed, a function the mill served until it ceased operations in 1960.

Architectural changes accompanied these evolving functions. A northern addition was completed before 1922, followed shortly by a front shed and a gas motor to supplement water power. Though the motor was removed in 1936, these modifications illustrate the mill’s continuous adaptation to new technologies and uses.

The Benson Grist Mill is one of the oldest surviving pioneer-era structures in western Utah. Travelers have long regarded it as one of the most significant historic landmarks between Salt Lake City and Reno, Nevada. The mill’s long period of operation and successive adaptations reflect a broader story of Utah’s industrial development, religious cooperation, and community entrepreneurship.

After falling into disrepair in the mid-20th century, the site was saved through community action. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, its exterior walls were rebuilt, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1983, a volunteer committee restored the mill piece by piece. Today, Tooele County manages the mill and the surrounding park. The site has become a community gathering space, with gardens and relocated pioneer cabins offering insight into 19th-century life.

The Benson Grist Mill remains a unique and little-known landmark where visitors can experience Utah’s pioneer legacy, industrial ingenuity, geological richness, and layered human history. With thoughtful stewardship, it can become an even more meaningful site of education and heritage for both residents and national visitors.