History
While The Haunted Mill opened to the public in 1997, it has been spooking friends and family of The Haunted Mill, Inc. for decades. Some of the story content is fiction, but several legends are fact. We will let you decide which legends are true.
The Teton Flour Mill was built in 1890 by James Siddoway, Robert Siddoway, and James Briggs, -James Briggs financed the Siddoway Briggs Co.
Since money was scarce, the gristmill exchanged wheat for flour and script (a form of money).
On September 2, 1892, the first 100 lbs. of Old Faithful Flour was produced using a steam-powered generator operated by Will Naylor.
About 1906, the mill site became a home for a culinary water supply for the town of Teton, as well as an electrical facility called Teton Light & Power.
On August 19, 1911, George and Eva Briggs (George is the son of James Briggs) purchased the Mill and enlarged its milling capacity by replacing the generator with a water wheel and adding a Sawmill (from the Green Canyon area) to the back of the Mill. The sawmill cut the logs for many of the Mill's expansions. The logs were used to build the granary (just to the north of the Mill), other log buildings on the Mill property, and many homes in the area.
Flour was marketed from Roberts, Idaho to Salt Lake City, Utah; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; & Montana. At this time, the Mill produced Whole Wheat Flour & Germade, a cereal byproduct made during the flour-making process.
In 1926 a new brand name, "Rose of Idaho," replaced the "Old Faithful" brand name.
In 1932 a larger water turbine was installed.
On March 6, 1947, George and Arminda Briggs, son and daughter-in-law of George Briggs, purchased the Mill and added pancake flour sold in 50 lbs. bags.
In 1963-64 the flour milling was discontinued, and the Mill was expanded and changed into a farm service center, cleaning grain & selling all kinds of farm products.
On June 5, 1976, the east side of the Mill was damaged by the Teton dam flood.
The Mill was sold in 1984 to Bingham Engineers as a hydroelectric power plant site which ceased operation in 1994 from faulty design.
In 1997 the Mill was returned to George and Arminda Briggs. On November 7, 1997, George and Arminda Briggs sold the Mill to The Haunted Mill Inc. The Haunted Mill is operated yearly by Dennis and Kim Briggs (son and daughter-in-law to George and Arminda Briggs.)
As you go through the Mill, we encourage you to take time to notice the original flour equipment, as it will make you easy prey.