Please Note: Periodic construction may occur in this area as the city works to restore this historic site.
The improvements include a new picnic and seating area, rain gardens, and preserving the ruins of the historic mill site. As well as replacing some of the aging interpretative signage. See the alternative waypoints if construction prevents a direct approach.
For the purposes of logging this cache you will be asked to answer the following questions. These are listed at the beginning and end of the cache description for your convenience. Please bear these in mind when reading the listing below and while visiting the posted coordinates.
Logging Requirements
- What do you estimate is the thickness of the overhang the water plummets over?
- Is this rock harder, softer or the same as the rock below it?
- Include a picture of yourself or a sign with your caching name clearly legible at the site in your log or when submitting your answers to me.
This listing has 4 sections:
- What is an EarthCache?
- History
- How Waterfalls Form
- Claiming this EarthCache
What is an EarthCache?
An EarthCache is the magical combination of geocaching and geological discovery. They vary greatly from traditional geocaches in that there is NO PHYSICAL CONTAINER! Once at the EarthCache site, take in the scenery, the geological marvels or oddities, and read the cache description. You will likely be asked to answer some questions about the site and take a picture. You can email the cache owner or use the Message Center to send answers to the required questions. Please don’t be intimidated or anxious about answering the questions. They are not graded and were meant to enrich your visit, open your eyes and provide you with new knowledge and insights about the location. Most importantly have fun!
History
Tucked away on the banks of Indian Creek are the remnants of what used to be a bustling area. Pioneers from all over the southern Jackson County area would hitch up their wagons and take the journey to the mill that once graced this location to grind their flour and corn.
What we refer to today as Watts Mill, thanks in part to the historic first cache of Missouri and nearby shopping center, was of major importance in the early history of the area. Today, the stone remains at the very location of the mill where it operated for 107 years.
Well before it was coined “Watts Mill,” it was referred to as “Fitzhugh’s Mill.” In the 1830s, John Fitzhugh and his brother George plotted 40 acres on Indian Creek. The rushing waters, limestone edges and waterfall proved to be a perfect location for a sawmill. They dammed up Indian Creek and took a gamble on what at the time was the edge of civilization, using hand-hewn native oak and walnut to erect Fitzhugh’s Mill — one year before Westport was platted and 20 years before Kansas City was founded!
In a short amount of time, Fitzhugh’s Mill became a gathering place. As a result of its success as a sawmill they decided to purchase a millstone from France and began operating as a gristmill. This became a central location for the Native Americans and early settlers to trade furs, ground meal and flour, and “catch up” on the endeavors of newly settled pioneers. Word of mouth was the foundation of this mill and it wasn’t long before travelers on the Santa Fe Trail started to stop at Fitzhugh’s Mill before their long journey into the Wild West.
In May 1843, Fitzhugh’s Mill is mentioned by name in the diary of James Nesmith as he and 800 pioneers gathered at this very location en route to Oregon and California. This was one of the very first wagon trains documented, with approximately 125 wagons, to head west. Travelers camped along the banks of Indian Creek, utilized the power of the mill to ground supplies, and took off into the frontier.
The Fitzhughs sold their interest in the mill in 1842 and it changed hands several times until it was purchased for $400 by Anthony Benaugh Watts, a miller from St. Charles, Mo.
Anthony Watts knew there was new competition. Five miles away, Ezra Hickman had completed building a gristmill in what would become known as Hickman’s Mill. In order to compete, Watts expanded the mill adding a second story, enclosing the waterwheel and building store houses so he could be involved in commercial milling. It was said that the mill was so large that it served as a landmark along the frontier.
Watt’s fifth born child, Stubbins, worked side-by-side with his father, learning from him how to take over the family business of milling. Anthony Watts died in 1861, and Stubbins left to fight in the Civil War resulting in four over years of inactivity at the mill.
After the end of the Civil War, Stubbins returned to Watts Mill. He continued the operation of the mill well before the town of Dallas emerged along 103rd St. The mill continued to be a gathering place amongst local pioneer families, and dances that would last all night were held on the banks of Indian Creek.
Dallas sported a dance hall, a little amusement park and a swimming beach. Stubbins, known as the “fiddling miller of Dallas,” allegedly won every contest he entered except the time he dropped and broke his instrument.
Mountain man Jim Bridger, who lived to the south of Watts Mill, was a frequent visitor of Stubbins. They were such good friends that Bridger asked to be buried at the Watts Burial Ground (now 101st and Jefferson). In 1881, Stubbins honored his old friend’s wish.
In 1904, Bridger’s remains were reinterred at Mount Washington Cemetery. In a Kansas City Star article from 1912, Stubbins was asked why he allowed Bridger to be moved. He replied, “Well, it will only be a few years now till the city will build out over that old graveyard. . . And it won’t be much longer till the city will come on out and take this mill, too.”
Unfortunately, he was correct. First, his family’s bodies at the Watts burial ground were removed to Stanley, KS. Even in his 80s, Stubbins still was working the old mill, holding onto the old-fashioned customs that had been replaced by modern conveniences. For 62 years, he harbored away on the banks of the Indian Creek until his death in 1922. His remains are in the Pleasent Valley Cemetery at 159th and Hayes where a millstone marks his grave.
Stubbins’ son, Edgar took over the operations of Watts Mill even after Walnut Grove Park opened next to it. People proved to love the location, oftentimes swimming near the waterfall as the old mill still could be heard grinding in the background.
In 1942, Edgar answered the call of the war effort and donated nine tons of cast iron and steel from the wheel, an old boiler and some machinery from his family’s mill. One year later, the mill ceased operation and in 1949, Stubbins’ prediction came to be true. The mill was torn down.
In 1972, a marker was placed at the site of Watts Mill by the Native Sons and Daughters. On June 10, 1974, Watts Mill was dedicated as a historic site.
How Waterfalls Form
A waterfall is a river or other body of water's steep fall over a rocky ledge into a plunge pool below. Waterfalls are also called cascades.
The process of erosion, the wearing away of earth, plays an important part in the formation of waterfalls. Waterfalls themselves also contribute to erosion.
Often, waterfalls form as streams flow from soft rock to hard rock. This happens both laterally (as a stream flows across the earth) and vertically (as the stream drops in a waterfall). In both cases, the soft rock erodes, leaving a hard ledge over which the stream falls.
Claiming this EarthCache
In order to substantiate your visit and comply with the educational requirement for EarthCaches you have to submit your answers to the following questions to me via one of the in game communication options. Remember, just do your best there is no pass or fail mark, I am just looking for evidence that you have tried to learn something.
Logging Requirements
- What do you estimate is the thickness of the overhang the water plummets over?
- Is this rock harder, softer or the same as the rock below it?
- Include a picture of yourself or a sign with your caching name clearly legible at the site in your log or when submitting your answers to me.
Please Note: When submitting answers for a group please mention the names of each account.
Do not wait on a reply from me. Log your visit after sending your answers. FINDS which do not meet logging requirements however will be quietly removed! Should this happen to you once you’ve submitted your answer you may relog.
Resources:
Bedrock of Pioneer Endurance- The Old Fitzhugh-Watts Mill by The Martin City Telegraph
World Waterfall Database
Wikipedia
