Road Trip July 2016
Greer Spring Mill (2016)
Greer Mill: History: In the 19th century, water milling was an essential industry that provided farmers access to grain processing and rural populations access to flour. Samuel Greer, an early settler of Oregon County, MO, built Greer Roller Mill in 1899 with his partner, George Mainprize. This mill is unique in its location, less than 1 mile uphill from Greer Spring, which required the use of an ingenious system of cables and pulleys to harness the power of the spring. After 1899, the ownership of Greer Mill changed hands many times. Operations ended in 1920, most likely because of increased competition supplied by the railroads built in the Ozarks. Today, Greer Mill is a majestic building in a wooded setting above the dramatic landscape of Greer Spring.
Greer Spring VI (2009)
Greer Spring is the second largest spring in Missouri. Its average daily flow of 222 million gallons more than doubles the size of the Eleven Point National Scenic River into which it flows.
Greer Spring IV (2010)
The spring flows from two outlets about 250 feet apart at the bottom of a steep, shaded ravine at the terminus of the trail. The spring run drops 62 feet in elevation for 1.25 miles where it runs into the Eleven Point National Scenic River.
Greer Spring V (2010)
Access to Greer Spring is via a 0.9 mile trail that descends about 250 feet in elevation along a gentle gradient from the trailhead at Missouri Highway 19.
Greer Spring VII (2009)
Depending on the time of year you visit the area can be plush with greenery and moss. The water comes out of the spring a blue-green and is crystal clear.
Greer Spring I (2016)
Moss covered rocks line the area. Shade is abundant and at times it is interrupted with strong sunlight.
Greer Spring II (2016)
Since you hike down into the canyon you will be surrounded by hills and rock walls.
Greer Spring III (2016)
There are lots of opportunities to get some great photographs. However, depending on spring floods the area can become overgrown.
Mammoth Spring I
Mammoth Spring: Mammoth Spring is Arkansas's largest spring and the second largest spring in the Ozark Mountains. A National Natural Landmark, the spring flows nine million gallons of water hourly.
Mammoth Spring II
Forming a scenic 10-acre lake, it then flows south as the Spring River, a popular Ozark trout and float stream. Located near the spring, the park's 1886 Frisco depot will take you back in time to an early 1900s train station.
Mammoth Spring III
The spring creates a 10-acre lake. Due to the cold water temperatures a fog over the lake is not uncommon.
Mammoth Spring IV
Mammoth Spring VI
The lake is divided into two sections and the walkway is connected by a bridge.
Historic Picture of Turner Mill IV
(This Picture Was Copied From The Internet-Photographer Unknown) Once you turn off Hwy 19 you will travel on a gravel road that descends for approximately 6 miles on Federal Road (FR) #3152 then continues for another 3 miles on FR#3190. These gravel roads although level have some large rocks in them so your decent should be at a low speed pace. Once there and after seeing the wheel be sure and explore the area searching out the source of the spring. I am including a picture from the internet of what the mill looked like when it was operational. Closest Towns: Alton, Winona. Directions: Turner Mill North is located off of MO Scenic Hwy 19, approx. 11 miles north of Alton, or approx. 15 miles south of Winona. From Alton, travel North on Hwy 19 approx. 11 miles to FR#3152 on your right. Or, from Winona, travel South on Hwy 19 approx. 14.9 miles to FR#3152 on your left. Go approx. 6 miles on FR#3152, then turn right onto FR#3190 for approx. 2.6 miles to the access area. Turner Mill has a north and south access, on both sides of the river. If you want to see the old mill site and spring, you will want to visit Turner Mill North. It is about 9 miles off the highway down some gravel roads, but it is definitely worth the trip. All that remains from the old mill is a giant metal water wheel, which sits in the middle of the spring branch. The spring itself comes from a small cave entrance at the base of a very tall bluff. The entire area is very scenic and beautiful.
Turner Mill I
The mill at Surprise was powered by a spring that flowed out of a cave. A shoot was built out of native rock to carry the water to the wheel which was connected to a turbine. Part of the shoot can still be found near the mouth of the cave and the spring water still flows clear and cold. Many families from the surrounding area traveled by horse, wagon, and on foot to take their corn to be ground or their wheat to be milled. Many times the families camped near the river for a few days until their meal was ready.
Historic Turners' Mill was acquired by the Forestry Service in the 1970s. Surprise School was on the National Historic Register; therefore, it was saved for posterity. Of the rest, only the rustic over-shot wheel in the spring branch escaped the demolition. The wheel, which was brought in pieces from the Fremont Depot in 1915, was installed by carpenters, John A. Brown and Bill Stewart.
Turner Mill II (2016)
Ozark Land and Lumber Company built a rock dam across the river to catch and hold logs for the mill. A tram was built from Winona to Wilderness (another community), so that the steam-powered train could haul out logs and lumber. Several families lived in Surprise and worked at the mill. There was a company store with a branch post office to serve the mill workers, and a traveling doctor rode in by train periodically to treat patients.
Turner Mill III (2016)
Turners Mill was self-sustaining. Crops of grain were grown, milled, and baked into bread or used as fodder for farm animals. Sorghum cane was raised and boiled into molasses in the fall. The tobacco crop was harvested and hung in drying sheds and later twisted for chewing or smoking in their corn cob pipes.
Turner Mill V
Part of the shoot can still be found near the mouth of the cave and the spring water still flows clear and cold.
Turner Mill VI (2016)
Once you turn off Hwy 19 you will travel on a gravel road that descends for approximately 6 miles on Federal Road (FR) #3152 then continues for another 3 miles on FR#3190. These gravel roads although level have some large rocks in them so your decent should be at a low speed pace. Once there and after seeing the wheel be sure and explore the area searching out the source of the spring. I am including a picture from the internet of what the mill looked like when it was operational. Closest Towns: Alton, Winona. Directions: Turner Mill North is located off of MO Scenic Hwy 19, approx. 11 miles north of Alton, or approx. 15 miles south of Winona. From Alton, travel North on Hwy 19 approx. 11 miles to FR#3152 on your right. Or, from Winona, travel South on Hwy 19 approx. 14.9 miles to FR#3152 on your left. Go approx. 6 miles on FR#3152, then turn right onto FR#3190 for approx. 2.6 miles to the access area. Turner Mill has a north and south access, on both sides of the river. If you want to see the old mill site and spring, you will want to visit Turner Mill North. It is about 9 miles off the highway down some gravel roads, but it is definitely worth the trip. All that remains from the old mill is a giant metal water wheel, which sits in the middle of the spring branch. The spring itself comes from a small cave entrance at the base of a very tall bluff. The entire area is very scenic and beautiful.
Turner Mill VII (2016)
Due to the shade and continuous water flow from the spring running over tiers of rock, moss grows in abundance.
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