History of Brownville Mills and the Lone Star Saloon

The Lone Tree Saloon was built in 1860 and was one of numerous saloons and brothels that lined the ealy river community of Brownville, Nebraska Territory. Legend has it that Jesse James would stop and have a few while returning from visiting releative in Nebraska City. The Lone Tree Saloon was also the place where Daniel Freeman made connections with the land agent who was attending a dance celebrating New Years Eve on the second floor of the saloon, to do the filing of his homestead on January 1 shortly after midnight.

Another happening that was recorded in the "Brownville Snort" was the election of a black gentleman to be the mayor of Brownville. Wheather he was sworn-in or not was never recorded.

In 1894 Willa Cather wrote an article for the "Lincoln Journal" in which she stated "Even the Lone Tree Saloon is falling to pieces, and that, in a western town, is the sure sign that everything is gone." She was talking about the falling of Brownville into a decay mode.

In the late 1890's the Lone Tree Saloon was purchased by the Opelt's and they had a grocery store downstairs and he liked to do some gambling on the second story level. After the fire in Brownville, the second floor was also used as an opery house and was called the Opelt Opery House. This was done to apease some of the local women who did not care for their husbands engaging in such games of chance.

During the 1930's there was an apartment upstairs and another on the main floor. Then in the 1940's for a period of time the building was the River View Inn where Chef Alden would fix catfish, steaks and shrimp for your dining pleasures. The bar and kitchen was on the main floor with the seating for dining on the second floor.

It was in 1953 when Courtney Miner purchased the building and started making whole grain flours and adding other health food products to the variety of items sold in the mill. He also put the "NEMAHA" brand to the flours and such being manufactured. Today the "NEMAHA" and "LONE TREE SNACKS" brands are labled on most of the items at the Brownville Mills.

The Mill has been featured in many books such "Great Cooks of The Midwest", "Food Finds" the book, "Midwest Living Magazine" and many allergy cookbooks. The latest featuring of the Brownville Mills has been on TV's Food Network and the program is "Food Finds" where you can watch a 30 minute program that talks about making cornmeal and corn pancakes plus Grama's Jellies, and Big Red Popcorn.