Thompson’s Mills a vivid reminder of Linn County’s agricultural prominence in Oregon history

One mile east of Shedd on Boston Mill Drive, just west of I-5 south of Albany, Thompson’s Mills is a unique reminder of rural life in the Linn County region of Oregon’s Willamette Valley over the past 150 years. It is the oldest water-powered grain mill in the state; its system of waterways, dams, control gates, ditches and dikes moved water from the Calapooia River to the mill head gates since 1858. A water right that predates statehood produced the water flow that ran the milling machines. Pioneer families came with their grain crops and left with the flour that would keep them through the coming year. The site also includes a Queen Anne-style residence.

Visitors to the mill today will see antique milling machinery, hand-hewn timbers and mortise-and-tenon construction. Interpretive exhibits. The mill race and tail race are open to fishing.

The mill is open daily for tours by Oregon State Parks rangers or hosts. Due to changes in the water supply for the mill, it is not operational during fire season. For more on the mill, click here or call (541) 491-3611.


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