When the 119-year-old Toomey’s Flour Mill in Newcastle, Wyoming was torn down to build a gas station, Wyoming Senate President Ogden Driskill bought the remains to save it. A stonemason has spent the last decade rebuilding the sandstone structure on Driskill’s ranch in the shadow of Devils Tower.
The Newcastle Milling Co. and Electric Light Plant was originally built it to process locally grown wheat and operated until 1965. The mill remained standing unused for decades while more buildings were built around it. Despite a local effort to preserve the mill, it was torn down in 2012.
Driskill has a soft spot for stone buildings. “I’ve loved stone buildings forever,” he said. “Some buildings throughout the hills are built out of that quarried sandstone, and they’re all just spectacular buildings. I’ve always admired them. So, when we had the opportunity to come up with one, we went ahead and jumped on it.”
Before the sandstone blocks and support beams were transported to the Driskill Ranch, local stonemason John Francis sketched the entire building and numbered each stone. This is all hand-cut sandstone, so every stone is a different size and shape.
By the time the last block was in place, Francis had rebuilt Toomey’s Mill precisely as it stood in Newcastle for more than a century. As for the location, Driskill felt comfortable placing the reconstructed mill near Devils Tower, where locals and visitors could see it.
“The hard part of the stonework is done,” Driskill said. “The next part is going to be even more expensive, and that’s getting roofs and windows and all the things that go inside.” Reconstructing Toomey’s Mill has been a labor of love, but he guesses it could take another $1 million to finish the job.
When Driskill bought Toomey’s Mill, he didn’t know what he would do with it. Even as it nears completion, he’s not entirely sure. “It’ll need some more building on it,” he said. “It’ll probably end up being a bit church, a bit museum and a bit wedding all rolled into one.”
Driskill believes a historic building with a picturesque backdrop will make Toomey’s Mill a desirable venue for many events once it’s finished. He also envisions the mill and the surrounding property as a concert venue. “It’s second-to-none stonework in an unbelievably nice location,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll end up doing a lot of weddings there once it gets done.”
You can read the original article at cowboystatedaily.com
It’s great what you’re doing. I understand your motivation. An emotional thing. I can’t wait to see it finished. Please show all 4 sides and all of the interior.