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All the United States Missouri Pierce City Jolly Mill

Jolly Mill

First crafted during the 19th century, the mill was fully restored in 1983.

Pierce City, Missouri

Added By
Delanie Johnson
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Jolly Mill   showmestateofmind / Atlas Obscura User
Jolly Mill Park - Pierce City Arts Festival 2017   NamaK / Atlas Obscura User
Jolly Mill   showmestateofmind / Atlas Obscura User
Shaun, the traveling sheep visited Jolly Mill (top of photo) during the 2017 Pierce City Arts Festival   NamaK / Atlas Obscura User
Jolly Mill   showmestateofmind / Atlas Obscura User
Jolly Mill   showmestateofmind / Atlas Obscura User
Mill inscription at park pavillion.   showmestateofmind / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Jollification, Missouri was a town built around the thriving Jolly Mill. Harnessing the water of Capps Creek, the mill functioned as a distillery and rest stop for stagecoaches. It is rumored the mill was named by the town drunk, who would show up every day for his "jollification."  

After the American Civil War, the town of Jollification (aside from Jolly Mill) was burned to the ground by Baldknobbers, a legendary Ozarkian gang of men in black and white striped horned masks. John Isbell, owner, and founder of Jolly Mill was an enslaver and exploited enslaved people to build his mill. Other businesses in Jollification housed Union prisoners of war. Baldknobbers, at the time, were affiliated with Union forces.

The mill continued to be used as a distillery until 1875 when a federal tax on liquor was passed, and Isbell threw in the towel. In 1983, W.F. Haskins purchased the mill with the dream to create a public park. In the late 1990s, the mill was ready for grist grinding demonstrations.

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History & Culture Parks Mills

Know Before You Go

Mill operates the first Saturday of every month April thru October.

Park is open from dawn until dusk, year-round, $5 charge due at the entrance. Self-pay. Very well-maintained bathrooms. Great place to take kids for the day.

Community Contributors

Added By

showmestateofmind

Edited By

geezosaur, NamaK

  • geezosaur
  • NamaK

Published

February 10, 2023

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Jolly Mill
31630 Jolly Mill Dr
Pierce City, Missouri, 65723
United States
36.895964, -94.070284
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Nearby Places

World's Largest Small Electrical Appliance Museum

Diamond, Missouri

miles away

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miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Missouri

Missouri

United States

Places 178
Stories 6

Nearby Places

World's Largest Small Electrical Appliance Museum

Diamond, Missouri

miles away

Precious Moments Chapel and Gardens

Carthage, Missouri

miles away

Boots Court Motel

Carthage, Missouri

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Missouri

Missouri

United States

Places 178
Stories 6

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