Butte Creek Mill (part 1 of 2) - Eagle Point, OR
The Butte Creek Mill and General Store is still one of Southern Oregons favorite destinations today as people come to take home the whole grain goodness of mills flours baking mixes and many culinary treats along with a whole lot of history.
The mill began operation in 1872, built by the pioneers with double-bitted axes and hand saws felled trees that were already more than one hundred years old. Foundation pillars nearly two feet square, were hewn with broad axes; the beams were morticed together and secured to one another with hardwood pegs; boards for the walls were whipsawed from logs and nailed on with hand made square nails. The mill consists of a basement and three floors. ...
More info at ButteCreekMill.com
Little Butte Creek MILL EAGLE POINT OREGON HISTORY AND DESTRUCTION BY FIRE
Little Butte Creek MILL EAGLE POINT OREGON HISTORY AND DESTRUCTION BY FIRE
Little Butte Creek is a 17-mile-long tributary of the Rogue River in the U.S. state of Oregon. .
a circa 1872 water-powered mill There is no water wheel, instead a millrace which flows water over gears and pulleys where it turns a turbine that makes the whole thing work.
The mill began operation in 1872, built by the pioneers with double-bitted axes and hand saws felled trees that were already more than one hundred years old. Foundation pillars nearly two feet square, were hewn with broad axes; the beams were morticed together and secured to one another with hardwood pegs; boards for the walls were whipsawed from logs and nailed on with hand made square nails. The mill consists of a basement and three floors.
Butte Creek Mill (part 2 of 2) - Eagle Point, OR
The Butte Creek Mill and General Store is still one of Southern Oregons favorite destinations today as people come to take home the whole grain goodness of mills flours baking mixes and many culinary treats along with a whole lot of history.
The mill began operation in 1872, built by the pioneers with double-bitted axes and hand saws felled trees that were already more than one hundred years old. Foundation pillars nearly two feet square, were hewn with broad axes; the beams were morticed together and secured to one another with hardwood pegs; boards for the walls were whipsawed from logs and nailed on with hand made square nails. The mill consists of a basement and three floors. ...
More info at ButteCreekMill.com
Butte Creek Mill Movie
A tour of the historic Butte Creek Mill in Eagle Point, Oregon. This mill is the last water powered grist mill still in operation west of the Mississippi River.
Historic Butte Creek Mill Gutted By Fire
The Butte Creek Mill, a icon in the Southern Oregon town of Eagle Point for more than a century has burned to the ground. The fire was reported around 4:00 A.M. on Christmas Day. By the time fire crews arrived the building was completely engulfed in flames. It is not known whether the fire was set intentionally or if it was started by accident or negligence.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS DIRECTLY LIFTED FROM THE BUTTE CREEK MILL'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
A water-powered gristmill, Butte Creek Mill, has operated in Eagle Point for more than 125 years. Built in 1872 along Little Butte Creek, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
The Butte Creek Mill is located in Eagle Point, Oregon. First settled in 1851, the town was abandoned the next year due to Indian conflicts. In 1872, a post office was established, along with a hotel, several blacksmith shops, a general store, a merchandize store, and a warehouse. In July of 1872, construction began on the mill. The building was situated on a fairly steep bank on the west side of the creek. There was an old irrigation ditch already on the site that was dug deeper by horse and hand labor.
The original mill was a four-story structure with a daylight basement, the main floor with the grinding floor and shop area, and two upper floors which were probably used for storage. To the north of the mill building were four square storage bins for grain.
The grain was brought down from the second floor through chutes (after it had been scalped and scoured) and was run through the stones. The flour was then sacked. The two interior columns on the first floor have been very carefully hewn and detailed with a chamfer. There is a shed roof in front supported by steel rods to cover the loading dock.
The second floor originally provided storage for the cleaned grain before it was ground, and storage for tools and other equipment. The two interior columns on this floor are also chamfered.
The attic houses the top pulley of the belt and cup system that lifts the grain to the storage bins. The 2″ x 6″ rough sawn rafters (24″ O.C.) are supported near mid-span by 8″ x 8″ braces, at right angles to the roof pitch. These braces support an 8″ x 8″ horizontal girt and rest on the floor girders. There is a small steep ladder from the attic to the roof.
In 1912, an addition was built on the south side to provide for additional storage space and a loading dock area. On the first floor, columns with chamfering similar to the original second floor are used. The roof is extended at the same pitch. The framing uses 2″ x 8″ studs and 2″ x 6″ rafters. The siding is about the same size, but is cut with a circular saw rather than whip-sawn as on the original section of the mill. Large posts are used in the basement, but the joints are nailed rather than pegged.
Another addition was added to the north during the 1930s for frozen food lockers and a meat cutting and packing area. Construction in this section is similar to the earlier addition. Both the 1912 and 1930s additions are compatible with the original building character using similar type materials and detailing. They provide necessary added space for the mill, but also maintain the original architectural integrity.
Butte Creek Mill is one of two remaining water-powered mills in Oregon, and is the only mill that grinds flour (Thompson’s Mill in Shedd is water-powered, but only grinds animal feeds). The water rights for the mill and the French burr grinding stones date back to 1872. The operation of the mill, the machinery and equipment are essentially the same as in the late 1800s.
Eagle Point Mayor Bob Russell purchased the property with his wife Debbie Russell, in 2005. Sadly Mrs. Russell passed away in September of 2015.
Currently The Russell family is accepting donations to help offset the costs of cleanup and possibly rebuilding the mill someday. I encourage anyone who is a longtime resident of Eagle Point or a fan of Mayor Russell and his family to help support the Butte Creek Mill restoration effort.
One year later: Remembering the Butte Creek Mill
Eagle Point High School
Examine the culture of EPHS staff and students. 2015/2016 is going to be a great year, and with a new principal, the school is ready to take on the world!
Butte Creek Mill Meet and Greet with Treeborn Timbercraft, LLC
On July 20, 2018 The Butte Creek Mill Foundation hosted a meet & greet near the construction site of the Butte Creek Mill. The area next to the antique store was converted into a gathering place for the public. It was complete with a hot dog stand, free liquor and there was a booth for the timber framers, a man named Ian Dilworth and his associates from Treeborn Timbercraft, LLC.
Ian has a partner who is from the Czech Republic. I heard his name pronounced but I can't confirm the spelling so I'll just refer to him as the Czech Fellow.
The Czech Fellow was manning the Treeborn booth and he showcased the various hand tools that will be used to construct the three story framework for the Butte Creek Mill. The way the tools were laid out reminded me of my dentist's office. If the timber framing thing doesn't pan out Czech Fellow could always find work as a medieval dentist.
Dilworth formed his company in 2015 but prior to that he had fifteen years of experience working with timbers. Treeborn Timbercraft specializes in building homes, barns, cabins, entryways, porches/decks, and custom work.
His team will comprise of dozens of strong men who will be able to raise the frame of the mill. That is expected to begin early next month.
Actually between Czech Fellow and BCM Foundation Executive Director Maryanne Pitcher I was able to learn the timetable for the Butte Creek Mill's completion.
Timber framing of the three story Butte Creek Mill will begin in early August and it will be complete by the end of the month.
In the fall, the roof, the walls, the windows, doors and the electrical wiring will be installed.
Some time before the end of the year, a professional millwright will construct the actual milling equipment itself and get it up and running.
By January the mill is expected to be fully functional and most of the construction will be complete. The mill will begin producing product at this time.
In February the BCM will hold a soft opening that will permit a small group of VIP's to tour the mill in advance of the general public. These people will most likely be large benefactors, and members of the Eagle Point City Council.
The Grand Opening will occur in March. By this time, all construction will be complete. The mill is supposed to be rebuilt faithful to its original blue print designs however some 21st century improvements will be made including a state of the art fire suppressant system and the mill entrances will be ADA compliant facilitating wheelchair access.
While I was at this meet & greet I had a chance to drink some Bavarian Hefeweizen courtesy of Mill City Brew Werks. I can't remember if its considered a beer, a lager or an ale. It looks like apple juice. Its amber in color, and murky. The flavor is slightly tangy but on the whole it tastes great on a hot day. The bar tender told me the recipe for the libation was several centuries old. Then it struck me that back in 1872 when the Butte Creek Mill was first built the townsfolk of the small Eagle Point community could have drank this imported beer. I felt a strong connection to my ancestors and I drank to their honor. Perhaps this was a good omen for the mill.
There was wine available too but I just settled with the Hefeweizen. However I did eat a delicious Polish dog from the Jus' Dawgs hotdog stand.
The event drew a nice crowd. Most of the people seemed to gravitate towards the Mill City Brew Werks exhibit.
I am very pleased to see some progress being made after two and a half years of the unseen hard work that was accomplished by a lot of concerned citizens who were heartsick by the mill's premature demise and who are all very eager to see it rise from the ashes and thus, the heart of Eagle Point will beat once more.
If there is a budget surplus after fundraising for the mill is complete, I think it would be a wonderful idea to turn the patch of land at the intersection of West Main and North Royal Ave (where the EP School District 9 building is, and where the mural is) into a park. Just imagine a lush carpet of beautiful Kentucky Bluegrass instead of a field of dry weeds and a craggy, uneven walking surface. Throw in a couple tables, maybe a water feature of some kind and then name it Snowy Butte Park. That was our mill's name at an early point in its history. So far more than $1.3 million dollars has been raised by the Butte Creek Mill Foundation via public donations, benefit concerts and grants. Most recently the City of Eagle Point donated $100,000 to the Rebuild the Mill Campaign.
The last four months of the calendar year always seem to go by very fast so practically in no time at all, the Butte Creek Mill will be back in action and it will be better than ever before. I can't wait for that wonderful day when the first bag of pancake mix rolls off the assembly line. I can almost taste those pancakes now.
Beautiful Day in Oregon Cascades - Episode 69
Third time out for mountain morels in the Oregon Cascades and it was a beautiful day to be out in the montains!
News- Mill Fire Cause
An electrical malfunction occurring in a concealed space above the milling room is said to be the cause of a Christmas day fire at the historic Butte Creek Mill in Eagle Point.
Originally aired on theDove TV & Radio 2-24-16
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Upper Butte Creek Falls Oregon
Underneath the upper Butte Creek Falls out of Scott Mills Oregon. Note I said the wrong name of the falls in my narrative
Butte Creek Campground
Located in the Santiam State Forest about a mile past the Butte Creek Falls trailhead.
PLHS vs Butte Falls 1993
Portland Lutheran High School Bluejays vs. Butte Falls 1993 state playoffs. First quarter action.
Roman Holcomb (Pendleton) vs Aaron Lorenz (Eagle Point)
2011 Oregon State 5A Championships 112 - February 26, 2011 at Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon #1 seed Roman Holcomb (12) Pendleton pinned 5:22 #2 seed Aaron Lorenz (11) Eagle Point
Sudden Hail Storm in Eagle Point, Oregon
This footage was shot on August 1. Oh how I love summer storms. The temperature outside dropped precipitously, which in turn adversely effected the water temperature of the swimming pool. (You can hear my uncle express his dismay about that in the video). This particular episode was brief, but violent. Mother nature was sure pissed that day.
July 7th storm Eagle Point oregon...
Lightning
Eagle Point Police Department Choose WOLFCOM Body Cameras
Eagle Point Police Department OR choose WOLFCOM Police Body Cameras
Milli Fire in Sisters, OR - 8/17/2017
Shot from the Sisters Eagle Airport on 8/17/17, this is the Milli Fire West of Sisters, OR. At the time of filming, 0% containment and growing. As of posting, evacuations are in progress.
Eagle Point, Oregon 4th of July Parade 2017
The annual 4th of July Parade took place yesterday. It was a beautiful day but it sure was hot outside. The parade is always scheduled for 11 AM but that sun is brutal. Its always nice to mingle amongst the fellow citizens of Eagle Point. A lot of thought and a great deal of effort goes into organizing the 4th of July Parade. I always enjoy the unique procession of vehicles and floats. The jet flyover is always the best part, even though it streaks across the sky in only a few seconds.
I ate a hamburger that was quite delicious but the best part was that the same vendor also sold cold watermelon. I tell you, there's nothing better than sweet juicy watermelon on a hot day (well maybe an ice cold beer is right on par).
The Chase Bank ATM must hold a lot of cash on the 4th. There is always a huge line of people waiting to withdraw cash from it. They must make a fortune off of non-Chase customers who use it.
The fireworks display at night is simply a must-see event. Not only are the fireworks spectacular but skydivers always parachute down to the Eagles Stadium football field. I'm always proud to be An American, and a citizen of Eagle Point, especially on the 4th of July!
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