Our story
Six generations, one family.
From a Danish miller called to settle Box Elder in 1853 to 250,000 pounds of flour a day — this is how Big J got here.
The mill by the numbers
- Milling since
- 1857
- Big J since
- 1909
- Generations
- 6
- Employees
- 25
- Flour per day
- 250,000 lb
- States served
- 7
Early beginnings
In October 1853, Lorenzo Snow — eventual President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — was assigned by Brigham Young to select fifty families to settle what was then called Box Elder. The pioneers were to establish a system of self-sufficiency and cooperative living, so Snow chose tradesmen whose skills the new community would need. Among them was Mads Christian Jensen.
Jensen was a Denmark native and a miller by trade, hand-selected to mill for the new town. The Box Elder Flour Mill became one of the first important businesses to the early pioneers. While running it, Jensen taught his sons the trade so they could one day take over.
Founding of the mill
By 1910, with Brigham City’s population at nearly 4,000, the town could boast Jensen Brothers Milling as one of its biggest industries. In 1946 the company name changed to Big J Milling.
Success continued, but not without trouble. The mill burned down in 1959, leaving nothing but the large steel roller mills — everything else had to be restored.
Continuing tradition
Keeping to the tradition Mads and his sons set, the business is still in the family, six generations on. With 25 employees on the payroll, including the board of directors, the mill produces 250,000 pounds of flour a day for home bakers and for businesses big and small across Utah, Idaho, Nevada, California, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.
Big J Milling & Elevator Co., Inc. is a proud member of the Brigham City community — one that has been integral to commerce here since the dawn of the town itself.
A working timeline
1857 to today
1853
Called to Box Elder
Lorenzo Snow is assigned to settle fifty families in what was then called Box Elder. Among the tradesmen he selects is Mads Christian Jensen, a Danish miller.
1857
The Box Elder Flour Mill
Jensen mills for the new settlement and teaches the trade to his sons so they can one day take over the business.
1909
Jensen Brothers Milling
Jensen's sons formally establish the mill. By 1910, with Brigham City's population near 4,000, it is one of the town's biggest industries.
1946
Big J Milling
The company takes the name it still carries today.
1959
Fire, and rebuilding
The mill burns down, leaving nothing but the large steel roller mills. Everything else is restored.
Today
250,000 pounds a day
Twenty-five employees, six generations of the same family, and flour on shelves and loading docks across seven states.
Shop the flour we mill today
From the people who bake with it
Trusted by bakeries and home kitchens alike
We recommend Big J Milling. They provide us with multiple types of flours year-round and have been able to easily scale with our growth over recent years. The flour we receive from Big J has been consistent and high quality year after year. They have been a great partner to work with and have always been more than willing to be flexible and help us out as needed.
I just wanted to let you know that it's great to find a baker's flour on the grocer's shelf! All other available flours are low in protein and yours is wonderful for my homemade bread. Thank you for making it!
From our mill to your kitchen
Good baking starts with good flour.
Choose the protein, strength and stability your recipe needs, and order direct from our Brigham City mill.