National Register of Historic Places

Boshell's Mill

Townley, Walker County, Alabama

Listed

May 29, 1975

Type

District

Period

Modern

Ref No.

75000329

About this property

Boshell's Mill is the historic site of a gristmill and sawmill on Lost Creek near Townley in rural Walker County, Alabama. The 4-acre (1.6 ha) site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It was recorded by the Historic American Engineering Record as part of the Birmingham District in 1992. Boshell's Mill, one of several mills run by the Boshell family in Walker County, was started by William R. Boshell in 1885. It was initially a steam engine-powered sawmill only, with the creek used to transport logs to the mill. Boshell expanded the mill in 1901 with the addition of a dam built using locally quarried stone. It was completed in 1902. A gristmill was built on the opposite bank of the creek in 1903. Water turbines at each end of the dam supplied power to each mill. The Boshell family operated the mills until 1963. It was listed on the National Register on May 30, 1975. A fire destroyed the sawmill building in 1976. Another fire destroyed the gristmill in 1986. The stone foundation piers and dam currently remain intact. Media related to Boshell's Mill at Wikimedia Commons HAER No. AL-18, "Boshell's Mill", 6 photos, 1 measured drawing, 6 data pages, 1 photo caption page HAER No. AL-18-A, "Boshell's Mill, Water Turbine", 3 photos, 1 photo caption page HAER No. AL-18-B, "Boshell's Mill, Saw Mill", 7 photos, 1 photo caption page HAER No. AL-18-C, "Boshell's Mill, Grist Mill", 1 photo, 1 photo caption page

Location

Townley, Walker County, Alabama

33.85483, -87.44751

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The Land

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Geology

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The Civil War

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The Soldiers

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Native Heritage

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Settlement

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Nearby Historic Sites

Bankhead, William Brockman, House

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Walker County Hospital

Jasper Downtown Historic District

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9.8 mi

First United Methodist Church

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9.8 mi

Questions about this property

When was Boshell's Mill listed on the National Register?

Boshell's Mill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 29, 1975.

What type of historic resource is Boshell's Mill?

Boshell's Mill is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Boshell's Mill?

The period of significance for Boshell's Mill is recorded as the modern era, specifically around 1992.

Can I research the history near Boshell's Mill?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Boshell's Mill will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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