| Additional Information: | Dam over Duncan Creek.
#650: Dam (26-3) Museum (26-4) Pavilion (26-5) Bridges (26-7,9) Views (26-6,8,10) Band Shell (26-11) Entrance (26-12) Station (26-13).
Once the site of the Glen Flouring Mill established by John B. IKehl in 1874 (O) and reconstructed in 1906 by the Consolidated Milling Comany, the historic Glen Loch Dam is an important structure; however, more information is necessary to determine its architectural significance.
The original permit to construct a dam at the Glen Loch site was issed in 1869, probably to the Union Lumber Company which operated a flour mill at this site prior to 1874.(H) A new flour mill, and dam, were constructed near the Union Lmber Company site, both were completed by 1875. (I) The mill, called Glen Mill was operated by A. E. Pound and Company between 1876-1878. In 1879, John B. Kehl purchased the property, enlarging the mill and making some improvements on the dam, in 1885. (J)
In the early 1890's Consolidated Milling Elevator and Power Company acquired the Glen Mill and adjoining dam site. In 1906 this company reconstructed the dam to store water for their flour mill, Star Roller Mills, located downstream. The Glen Mill at the dam site was razed in 1933 (K)
Througout the early twentieth century Glen Loch Pond, created by the dam, was used by Chippewa Falls residents as a recreation aera, especially for ice skating.(L) In 1934 the dam was severely damaged by a record flood. Repairs were made in 1935 by the Chippewa Falls Pure Ice Company, including the addition of a concrete spillway crest and flash boards. In 1939, inspection of the dam revealed it was unsafe and repairs were made, including resurfacing of part of the spillway downstream and construction of a fill apron downstream. It is ap[parent that hydroelectric generating equipment was added at about this time, though it has since been removed. (M)
In 1959, major repairs were initiated requiring the complete drawndown of the dam. In 1981 a U.S. Army Corps of Engineer report designated the dam as "high hazard." A safety inspection in 1982, again, recommended major repairs which were effected in 1984(N)
This dam site is of significant local historical interest because of its role in the development of the early flour milling industry in Chippewa, and its use as a recreation area, both before and after the establishment of Irvine Park. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. "Engineering Inspection and Evaluation, Glen Loch Dam, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, October, 1982." (Chipp[ewa Falls: City Engineer's Office), p. 2.
B. Ibid.
C. Department of Natural Resources file (Chippewa Falls: City Engineer's Office)
D. Ibid., "Bird's Eye View of the City of Chippewa Falls, 1874" in Malcolm Rosholt, Lumbermen on the Chippewa (Rosholt, Wisconsin, Rosholt House, 1982), pp. 120-121; George Forrester ed., Historical and Biographical Album of the Chippewa Valley, Wisconsin (Chicago: A. Warner Publisher, 1891-1892), p. 94.
E. Ibid.
F. Ibid.
G. Engineering, Inspection and Evalution," p. 2.
H. Rosholt, pp. 120-121.
J. Ibid., History of Northern Wisconsin (Chicago: The Western Historical Company, 1881), p. 202.
K. "Engineering Inspection and Evaluation," p. 2.
L. Dolores A. Beaudette, The Flavor of the Times, A Series of Interviews (Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin), p. 490.
M. "Engineering, Inspection and Evaluation,: p. 2.
N. Ibid.
O. History of Northern Wisconsin (Chicago: Western Historical Comany, 1881)p. 211.
I. Forrester, p. 94. |
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