Milling
Mills were operating in New Mexico by the early 1600s, showing up in official letters and accounts of the time. There are two operating mills at El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, the Barela Truchas Mill and the Big Mill from Sapelló.
Near the Truchas Mill are canoas or flumes (cut from logs) that bring water to turn the mill wheel and grinding stone. The miller controlled the flow of grain onto the stones. He regulated the revolutions of the grinding stone and the shaking of the sifter separating the flour into coarse or fine grind by using a brake to control the speed of the waterwheel. There were many of these small family-operated, Spanish-style mills throughout New Mexico.
The largest mill at Las Golondrinas was originally built and used in Sapelló, New Mexico, This style of mill didn’t come to New Mexico until the late 19th century. Its machinery, which was manufactured in Buffalo, New York, was shipped to New Mexico by railroad in the 1880s. This mill ground flour for the soldiers at Ft. Union until the fort closed in 1891.
The reconstruction, with original machinery, began operating at Las Golondrinas in 1972. In 1991 a new handmade oak wheel replaced the deteriorated original pine wheel. Flumes and aqueducts bring water from springs in the hills. After turning the wheel, the water flows into a small río before making its way back into the acequia. When the mill is not in use, the water is diverted into the tree-lined millpond. During certain museum programs, the mill grinds flour from wheat.
