Historical Data

On this page, you can review all of the information we have currently that pertains to the Brays Mill and Brays Community. If you have any additional information, please feel free to contact us so that we can add it in. Please enjoy and Be blessed!

* All sources have been sited to eneable credit to the source and for the ability of our viewers to research. *

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Brays Mill

The Bray's Mill is the only mill site left relatively intact in the county {Miller County, Missouri}. Dating from 1854, the site has functioned as a water mill, steam mill, icehouse, generator of neighborhood electricity, picnic spot, swimming pool, baptistry, and was promoted in state tourist pamphlets of 1940s. It is a local and regionally significant site. 

** Source: https://dnr.mo.gov/shpo/survey/MLAS001-R.pdf

Grist Mill Guide for Missouri: Miller County — Bray’s Mill: 

The overshot wheel to this mill is intact. Go 3 1/4 miles east of Iberia on Route 42. 

Mill is next to a gravel road to the left after crossing Kenser Creek bridge. 

** Source: http://daviesscountyhistoricalsociety.com

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Miller County Place Names, 1928-1945

Place name: Brays

Description : A discontinued post office in northeast Richwoods Township. Named for Tom Bray, who built a mill there in early days. (Postal Guide 1896- 1922; Maps 1904f; Tom Clark)

** Source: Weber, Frank. "Place Names Of Six South Central Counties of Missouri." M.A. thesis., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1938.

It was in the southeast section of the county, near the Maries Co. line, four and one-half miles south of Blyze. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 447.)

It was located at Sec. 9, Twp. 39 N, R. 12 W., on Highway 42, northeast of Iberia.

** Source: https://thelibrary.org/lochist/moser/millerpl.html

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Richwoods Township

Miller County - Richwoods Township
Township Organization.-On May 2, 1837, the following townships were formed: Richwoods: "Beginning on the range line between Ranges 13 and 14, where the township line between Ranges 39 and 40 crosses the same; thence south with said range line to the south- east boundary of Miller County; thence east with said boundary line to the range line between Ranges 11 and 12; thence north to the township line between Townships 39 and 40; thence west with said township line to the point of beginning;" elections were to be at Z. Price's, with James Scott, William Blize (also spelled Blyze) and Josiah Stuart as judges.

Source: http://www.millercountymuseum.org/area01.html

Judge Jenkins' History of Miller County
Miller County Historical Society

Above is a portion from one of many petitions submitted by Pennsylvanians, and others, in Richwoods township, to civil and military authorities for relief.

Source: Miller County Historical Society




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Massie, Gerald R. (1911-1989), Photographs 

Photo Number 16-313: Bray's Mill Exterior view of mill. Iberia area n.d.
Photo Number 16-466 Mills and millwork Interior of mill with man operating a Graham Roller Mill machine n.d. 

{Photos not yet available.}

** Source: https://shsmo.org/manuscripts/columbia/p0016.pdf

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Marge H., Iberia, Missouri: HISTORY OF BRAYS MILL by M. Handley

Bray's Mill was built between 1862 and 1864. Thomas Bray financed its construction - hence, its title. The land on which it sits was deeded as a land grant from the U.S. general Land Office on 1 July 1845. This first mention in the abstract was filed in Miller County on 3 May 1901 and was signed by J. Knox Walker for the President of the United States, James Knox Polk.

Over approximately 145 years, the mill has changed ownership dozens of times. The abstracts state names, such as, Larkin Osburn, David Winingham, Mesach Rowden, John and William Rowden, James Buchanan, President of the United States, U.S. Grant (again, our President), several members of the Bray family , Guy Smith, and Isaac Smith. The entire list is too numerous to mention here.

In 1889 Tom Bray constructed a roller mill near the original water-powered grist mill. During harvest there was always a back-log of work for the mills. Overnight camping at the mill site was common as people slept under wagons and large bushes for protection from the falling dew and mosquitoes. About this time Will Morrow rebuilt the wooden water wheel and helped in overhauling the older mill.

Bray's Mill has been sold for as little as $1.00 or for as much as $40,000. It has been sold to pay back taxes. Other purchase prices were $10.00, $25.00, and $1500.00.

Thomas A. Bray died on 6 November 1906 in the town of Pay Down, Maries County, Missouri. He left behind, his wife, Mahala, 4 sons, and 5 daughters.

For most of its existence, Bray's Mill has supported and survived as a grist mill. However, it has also served as a Post Office, a safe haven for tired travelers, a dentist office (operated by Guy Smith), and an ice manufacturing plant from 1931 to 1942. Isaac Smith produced 16-300 pound blocks of ice each 24 hours and delivered ice to the surrounding community. He made ice from spring water which filled 16 ice forms. Ammonia coils surrounded the forms and froze the water into ice. The ammonia was pumped by compressors which were powered by the overshot water wheel. The springs produced approximately 700 gallons of water per minute (and still do). Bray's Mill is located 31/4 miles east on Highway 42 from Iberia. From Iberia, cross Kenser Creek and take the first gravel road to the left. Proceed 2/10 of a mile to a Y junction. Take the left leg. You're there!