Photo Credit
Brendan Lee
County
Tooele
Year Built
1854
Architect
Builder Thomas Lee and brothers
National Register?
Yes: listed 1972
Status
Still Endangered
Status Explanation
The Benson Grist Mill is not currently threatened by demolition or new development, but the building is at long-term risk because of ongoing structural problems and limited resources for preservation. Some of the main issues are holes in the floor that have been covered with plywood, a cracked foundation window, and historic waterwheel and pump systems that are deteriorating. The bucket hoist rope also needs to be replaced, and the emergency fire suppression system should be inspected and likely repaired. The site now attracts 10,000 to 12,000 visitors each year for farmers markets, festivals, and guided tours, which puts extra strain on the old wooden floors and gear systems. Tooele County owns and manages the mill through its Parks and Recreation Department, but budget constraints have made it hard to invest in the building. If these maintenance needs are not addressed soon, small repairs could turn into major structural problems.
About the Threat
The Benson Grist Mill is threatened by its age, delayed maintenance, and the extra strain from more visitors. The building has several problems, including holes in the floor covered with plywood, a cracked foundation window, and a need for a full floor inspection and repair. The historic waterwheel and pump are also in poor condition and need paint, sealant, and mechanical repairs. The bucket hoist rope should be replaced, and the emergency fire suppression system needs to be checked and probably fixed.
A bigger concern is that more visitors are putting extra stress on the old wooden floors and the complex gear systems that make the mill one of the best-preserved pioneer-era industrial sites in western Utah. If repairs are not made soon, these manageable issues could turn into a much bigger problem.
Tooele County owns and runs the mill through its Parks and Recreation Department. In the past, tight county budgets have made it hard to invest in the mill.
Access
Yes, the Benson Grist Mill is open to visitors on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from May 1 to October 31. In May, it is only open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. From June through October, it is open Thursday through Saturday. Guided tours of the mill and nearby pioneer buildings are offered. The site also hosts community events such as a weekly Farmers Market, Renaissance Faire, Pioneer Day activities, Fall Festival, and a holiday lighting event. Most events are free. The mill is located on State Highway 138, about one mile southwest of the SR-36 intersection at Mills Junction and about 30 miles southwest of Salt Lake City.
History
In September 1849, the first Euro-American settlers arrived in Utah's Tooele Valley. They looked for a reliable water source and chose a spot on Twin Springs Creek, which yielded about 3,000 gallons per hour. By 1851, they had built a sawmill there. In 1854, Thomas Lee and his brothers, with funding from a church group that included Apostle Ezra Taft Benson, Benjamin Crosland, and John Rowberry, built a grist mill nearby. The mill was part of Brigham Young's broader plan to create an industrial center in the area, which also included a woolen mill, a shoe mill, and adobe home building.
The mill quickly became an important part of the local economy, grinding wheat and corn for nearly 100 years. Its ownership changed several times, reflecting the shifts in Utah's economic history. It began as a church cooperative before Brigham Young purchased the mill in 1860, when Benson relocated north. By 1862, it was known as "Young and Rowberry's,"at which point the mill could process 200 bushels of wheat per day at a capacity of 250 horsepower. In 1866, Benson reacquired private ownership, which then returned to church control in the 1870s. By 1900, the Richville Milling Company was operating it.
In 1922, J. Reuben Clark Jr., who later became a U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and an LDS Church Apostle, bought the mill and tried to produce flour commercially. However, the small mill could not compete with larger operations in the area. In 1936, a hammer mill was added to grind livestock feed. Flour milling ended in 1938, but grinding animal feed continued until about 1960.
The building was updated many times over the years. Before 1922, a northern addition was built, followed by a front shed and a gas motor to help with water power. The original wooden waterwheel and millstones were later replaced by a metal turbine and imported grain breakers. The motor was removed in 1936. These updates show how the building adapted to more than a hundred years of industrial changes.
After the mill stopped operating, it fell into disrepair and was exposed to the elements. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. In 1983, John "Jack" Smith from Stansbury Park started a volunteer group that arranged for Terracor Corp. to donate the property to Tooele County. Volunteers, with help from the county, restored the mill piece by piece over the next few years. By the late 1980s, the site was open for tours. Other historic buildings were moved to the site, including the Bolinder Blacksmith Shop from Grantsville in 1987 and the Forsyth Pioneer Cabin from 1872 in 1986. A barn, country store, and open-air pavilion were also added. The Benson Grist Mill is now widely considered the most significant surviving pioneer industrial structure in western Utah.
What can be done? What was learned?
The mill welcomes service projects and has a volunteer program. Past projects include restoring machinery, working with adobe bricks, building bridges, and carpentry. These efforts help meet the mill's current needs. Anyone interested in hands-on preservation, including individuals, Scout troops, youth groups, and organizations, can find contact details and learn about current opportunities at tooelecountyparksandrec.org/benson-grist-mill/.
Supporters can also help by encouraging the creation of materials that explain the mill’s ties to the California Trail and to the Indigenous peoples who used Twin Springs Creek before the mill was built. Reaching out to Tooele County Parks and Recreation with this suggestion is a good first step.
What is the timeline?
There is no formal decision point right now. The main threat is ongoing structural deterioration, which will worsen if left unaddressed. The mill is an important community gathering place, hosting events like a weekly Farmers Market, Pioneer Day activities, a Renaissance Faire, a Fall Festival, and an annual Christmas lighting and live nativity. These events bring in about 10,000 to 12,000 visitors each year. This community involvement shows why ongoing funding to preserve the historic mill is important.
What has been the public discussion?
The mill was featured in KSL's May 2025 Most Endangered roundup. Since then, there have been no public meetings, council actions, or official preservation decisions about the mill. The site is still open and hosts regular events.
Links to more information and articles.
Tooele County Parks and Recreation — Benson Grist Mill: https://tooelecountyparksandrec.org/benson-grist-mill/
National Register of Historic Places nomination: https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_UT/72001260.pdf
KSL (May 2025 — Most Endangered coverage): https://www.ksl.com/article/51312075/these-historical-utah-treasures-are-on-the-verge-of-disappearing-forever
Intermountain Histories — Benson Gristmill of Tooele: https://www.intermountainhistories.org/items/show/773
Wikipedia — Benson Grist Mill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benson_Grist_Mill