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Road Trip: Thompson's Mill State Heritage Site

On a recent Geocache trip we decided to tour the Thompson's Mill State Heritage Site.







Thompson's Mill is the oldest water-powered mill in the state and offers guided tours of the facility daily.



The water that powered the mill was part of the Calapooia River system.



The doorway leading into the factory there was a little set of stairs and a small hole on the bottom part of the doorway. We all asked why the hole was there and the tour guide told us a beaver had gotten trapped inside the factory floor and chewed his way out. When they came to work the following day they found the chewed marks and some beaver droppings and knew exactly what had happened. They left the hole because the story is too good not to share.



The mill was a flour mill and turned into a cattle feed mill after the original owners didn't want to keep the flour production going. It was built in 1858 and went through a remodel after a small fire.

Images of the old mill are hung around on different walls inside the factory.



The mill sewed and created its own flour and feed bags right on site, too.




The grain sorter was one of the main items at the mill that still operated.
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Bags were made, filled, labeled, and then weighed for shipment.



We weighed on the scale and another man told us we weighed only "200 lbs." altogether. Ha! What a nice man.

Around the mill you can operate different grain crushers. The one on the left is a manual grain crusher that was even used back in the pioneer days to crush grain for breads and biscuits. It's a stone grain crusher that allowed the user to smash the grains into finer grain and can still be a method used today with a heavy stone. The one on the right is a more modern grain crusher that didn't work your arms as much as the stone crusher. It sorted the grains and then smashed them into dust. This grain machine is circa around early turn of the century.

In cases of a fire there were barrels around the mill filled with water and a small bucket hanging over the barrel. The idea was to get the water on the fire before it spread to other parts of the factory.




We also pinned our location on their big visitor map and couldn't help but pin Hot Springs, Arkansas, too.



Around the grounds of the mill are a lot of chickens, ducks, turkeys, and roosters. What's funny about these birds is there is a bell hanging near their food machine and once you ring that bell they come running. It was such a great idea and those birds were sure trained to know when to come, too. The Bean had a blast with it!

We had a lot of fun hunting for the Geocache while we were there. It took a little bit of math to find it, but the ones that make you think are ones we enjoy the most.


I just loved the old barn lights on the building.



If you happen to be traveling through the Shedd, Oregon area on a road trip, Geocaching, or just passing through, be sure to check out the Thompson's Mill State Heritage Site. There are other areas around Shedd, Oregon that are worth a look, too. The old house above, on the right is a historic place in Shedd. It has been remodeled by the curator of the Shedd Museum and according to the waitress at the diner across the street, the entire upstairs has been made into one large bedroom.





Five simple things

This week we have been clearing out more clutter and going through tons, literally tons of digital photos. So many to share soon, so keep checking back to the blog over the next few days. Speaking of clutter, though, it's amazing how much stuff you can accumulate in living in the same house for 10 years. It's shameful that we spend money on things we really don't need. The Mr. and me have completely shifted our thoughts on what comes into our life now. It's a liberating experience and I actually find a sense of delight when I drop off a carload of "stuff" to the donation center. I can't wait to get it all done and sit back and just relax. So here are the things that made this week awesome!

......Before that, I want to mention a new place here in our town. It's called Conversion Brewing, otherwise known as Pinhook Public House. They offer a tasting paddle of their local brewed beers and rootbeer. The have some of the best tasting microbrews The Mr. and I have tasted. We fell in love with their wheat ale and their red ale. And their pizza was brick oven cooked and was amazing! If you're passing through the Willamette Valley, check them out!


1. This Payphone 

This payphone was in front of a train station in Salem. The train station itself is historic, but I couldn't help but notice the payphone's stand and just be happy to still see a payphone around. I wish payphones were still around a lot more and people would stop relying so much on cellular phones. 

2.  These Chips

These are delicious and a new favorite here in our house. I received a sample in my Yogi Surprise box a few months back and have loved then since. We have tried the other flavors and they are all great! Our favorite is the Lentil in white cheddar and the Quinoa in BBQ

3.  This Abandoned Hotel



This hotel is along the Rogue River and I just love it. It's a real shame that someone didn't keep up the maintenance on it and keep it going, even if it was just for a residence. The history of the hotel dates back to the early 1900s. It was once dubbed as a prime vacation spot for visitors coming to southern Oregon. It's also said to be "haunted," if you believe in that stuff....


What it used to look like in its heyday. (Source)

4.  This View
We drove to the California border a few weeks back. This exact spot gives a great view of Mount Shasta.

5.  This Moon

We moved our living room to the back of the house and in the evenings it gives a great view of the moon.

Extras:
Other Work By Me:

Source 


Have a fantastic Memorial Day weekend!


The beauty of the Hawthorne Tree

Every year the Hawthorne Trees seem to just bring out the best in the pinks and reds for spring.  We have three trees in our front yard at the Hiatt House and they are on full display right now.











I'm just falling in love with our front yard, year after year here.  With the vintage school bell and the plants that are coming in nicely.  It looks amazing each spring!

See our Hawthorne Trees in 
2012 
2013


What happened this time last year?