The Florence Mill, located near the 30th Street exit from Interstate 680 on Omaha’s north side, was originally constructed during the winter of 1846-47 as Mormon Pioneers made their trek to new settlements in the west.
After more than 150 years, little remains of the original structure; however, its legacy and spirit lives on in Florence. The mill has played an important role in the history of Omaha and the growth of the Florence area in particular. From the time of its construction until the middle of the 20th century, the mill remained operational. The Florence Mill is currently owned by an artist whose goal is to restore the mill as an historic site with a museum and an art gallery.
Still visible inside the mill are original supporting beams that were put in place by Mormon Pioneers in 1846. The grain elevator was added in 1915. The mill is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated as a Nebraska State Historic Site and a Save America’s Treasures Project.
