History

The explosion that changed milling

In 1878, a historic mill explosion in Minneapolis led to an innovation that changed the flour milling process forever.

mill explosion

The explosion of the Washburn “A” mill

The evening of May 2, 1878 at the Washburn “A” mill – the largest mill of its time in the U.S. – began as any other as the day shift crews left the Minneapolis mill and the smaller night crew clocked in.

But at around 7 p.m., flour dust in the air ignited and the mill exploded. The blast blew the roof off the A mill, leveled five other mills and engulfed several city blocks in flames.

Sadly, the massive explosion killed 18 workers.