Lehi Mills: Over a Century of Milling Memories
Lehi Mills is more than just a flour mill—it’s a community landmark, historic place, and even a former movie set! The mill has stood as a historic symbol of Utah Valley for the past century. In 1906, Lehi, Utah was hardly more than farmland. Today, the mills stands just off of I-15 in Lehi, Utah, and many local Utah residents recognize the mill as a landmark of Utah’s rural past. Let’s take a look at Lehi Roller Mills’ history!
The Beginning
Originally, a co-op of farmers built Lehi Roller Mills in 1906. In 1910, George G Robinson, a local farmer, acquired the mill. His family ran and operated the mill until 2012, when it was acquired by KEB Enterprises. George's grandson, Sherm Robinson, continued to help run the Mill until his death in May of 2021. Lehi Mills continues to run to this day, striving to uphold the legacy of quality the Robinson family instilled.
During the twentieth century, the mill was one of many small, family-run mills that peppered the country. Now, these small mills are few and far between. Lehi Mills is unique in that it hasn’t commercialized. Lehi Mills has supplied the Utah Valley with premium flour grown by local farmers for the past century. The mill produces around 100,000 pounds of flour every day!
In 1930, a local artist painted the silos with the iconic turkey and peacock brand murals.
The Movie
The famous 1984 movie Footloose plays a big part in Lehi Roller Mills’ history! The mill plays an integral part of the movie. In the movie, the main character Ren McCormack, played by Kevin Bacon, worked at Lehi Roller Mills. The last part of the movie, the prom, is also held at the mill!
The cast and crew worked closely with the mill employees. Sherm Robinson fondly recalled working directly with Kevin Bacon, John Lithgow, Lori Singer, and Sarah Jessica Parker. In preparation for the movie, the mill got a fresh coat of paint and minor reparations.
Ten years after the movie, the U.S. National Register of Historic Places added Lehi Roller Mills to its list.
The Rebirth
After a century of success, the mill started to experience serious hardship. In 2012, the mill was experiencing “a perfect storm” of problems: a bank closure, delayed payments, and a lawsuit. These factors, and many others, caused Robinson to search for a permanent solution.
Robinson reached out to Ken Brailsford, local entrepreneur and pioneer in the supplement and direct selling industries. Brailsford has expressed a longtime affinity for the mill and knew he would be connected to it somehow.
In 2013, Brailsford stepped in and purchased the mill, pulling it out of bankruptcy. Robinson expressed his appreciation to Brailsford for helping to save his family’s mill. In addition, Brailsford brought in all-new machinery.
In 2018, Lehi Roller Mills went through a rebrand, renaming the company Lehi Mills. A few of Lehi Mills’ products launched in local grocery stores.
In 2019, the mill underwent some major renovations. Firstly, the exterior of the mill was painted for the first time since before the movie Footloose. In addition to the fresh coats of paint, the mill got upgrades to its structure, windows, silos, and machinery, including a new dust suppression system that limits emissions.
In 2021, Lehi Mills underwent another rebrand that focused on changing its products to be naturally flavored; the colors and style were specifically chosen to be a nod to the mills retro past and modern future. It continues to launch new products, expanding its mixes both in the Lehi Mills store and in local retailers.
Lehi Mills commits to preserving the historic integrity of this century-old landmark!
