Original scientific paper

Late 19th and Early 20th Century Steam-Powered (and Other Types) of Mills in Djurdjevac

Vladimir Miholek orcid.org/0000-0002-5950-2430 ; Đurđevac, Croatia

Abstract

This paper discusses late 19th and early 20th century steam mills of Djurdjevac that pushed out of business numerous water mills on Drava River and nearby streams. The first modern mills in Djurdjevac were launched by the Jewish entrepreneurs, first from abroad, then from the local community. The biggest and most renowned were Braun’s Steam Mill Inc. and Steam Mill Podravina Inc., with another smaller one (frequently changing owners). The paper in part sheds light on the Braun’s and their family tragedy during the World War Two, as well as the fate of their nationalized company (the steam mill was ruin in 1960 fire). We describe the struggle of these steam mill companies to survive in the market, and the fate of their owners, the Jewish family Braun in particular, which played an important role in the development of river Drava milling, the most important manufacture (industry) of Podravina region.

Keywords

milling; steam-powered mills; the Braun family; millers; Djurdjevac; Podravina region; 19th/20th century

Hrčak ID:

126337

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/126337

Publication date:

1.6.2014.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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