Stone Ground, Southern Oregon Style

Oregon Mill: Owner Debbie Russell laughs, “Bob and I never dreamed we would owners of a water-powered grist (grain grinding) mill. But in 2005, we bought the Butte Creek Mill and the property around it and, while the change has really turned our lives upside down, it is really rewarding. We feel we’ve brought this southern Oregon historical landmark back to life.”

The Butte Creek Mill is located in the southern Oregon town of Eagle Point. The 1872 mill is fascinating on a number of levels. First and foremost, Butte Creek Mill is the only water-powered grist mill in operation this side of the Mississippi. The Mill’s giant stones (they weigh 1,400 pounds each!) that grind the grains were quarried near Paris France, brought by ship, carried over the Oregon mountains by wagon, and found their resting spot at the mill over 130 years ago.

The Butte Creek Mill is not a water wheel operated mill, rather the water in the millrace flows into a penstock (trough) twelve feet deep, where its weight provides pressure to activate the turbine that runs the wheels, belts, and pulleys. This movement also turns the huge millstones that grind the grain. To reach the grinding stones, the grain is fed into a hopper that in turn feeds it into the “eye” of the stones. In about three hours, it is ground to flour or cracked wheat depending on how the stones are set.

Visitors can enter the first floor of the Mill and watch the miller working. Moving downstairs, one can explore the interpretive center that explains the history and the water wheel grinding process. Located nearby in the old cheese factory, the Russells offer antiques for sale and welcome visitors to roam between history and collectables. There is even a “General Store” that is cozy and cute where you can purchase freshly ground grains and flour or even a beautiful loaf of Applegate Valley Artisan Bread (Applegate Valley uses Butte Creek Mill’s grains in their incredible breads).

You can visit Butte Creek Mill every day of the week or order from them online. The mill is located at 402 Royal Ave N., Eagle Point, Oregon. Call 541-826-3531 for more information.

Photo credits go to the Butte Creek Mill.