Research Papers

Research Papers

Today is:

                                 The Kearney Cotton Mill

Three Kearney Centennial historical markers

Erected in June 1973 –
        History of Kearney – Centennial Park on 11th Street
        Kearney State College – on east edge of campus on college curve
        Cottonmill - on west Highway 30 at east edge of plot where the cotton mill building stood

May 2016 – [43 years later] Cotttonmill sign removed by Nebraska Department of Roads
        Reason given - Traffic hazard – People making U turns
        Plan to put it in Cottonmill Park - mile away from actual site
            Gives impression cottonmill was beside the lake

Initial idea for a cotton mill

The most ambitious Boom Period plan for an industry in Kearney

June 1888 – Two Kearney business men went to Mass. to talk to the Comnock Brothers who owned cotton mills in the New England area
        $50,000 in cash & real estate for the Comnocks
        Comnocks would build the building

More local meetings in June 1889

$250,000 raised by local businessmen pledges in about six weeks

November 30, 1889 – contract signed

Other investors included Watson and George Frank

Location in West Kearney section (platted southeast/northwest & northeast/southwest)

Some facts about the cotton mill

Spindles operated – 15,000

Capacity – 26,000 yards unbleached muslin daily.

Employed – 450 persons.

Buildings –
        Main mill – 408 x 102, two stories, full basement
        Tower – 33 x 27 feet, three (four) stories,
                      with water tank for automatic sprinklers for entire building in case of fire.
        Fan room – 92 x 27 two stories.
        Power house – 59 x 48 feet.
        Engine room – 30 x 70 feet.
        Turbine wheel – 800 horse power, water from canal; coal fire in winter
                Water from Kearney Canal in 10’ pipe
                (still exists in 8’ pipe now used for storm release)
        Smoke stack – 28 feet square base; 125 feet tall

Bricks used in construction – 7,000,000.

Car loads machinery for mill – 150.

Cost construction - $400,000

Largest manufacturing plant in the state

First cotton mill west of the Mississippi

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Revised: 02/04/2018