© Copyright  1997 - 2010,  Boston Mill Society

On October 25, 1862, the Boston Mill and a nearby wool carding mill were destroyed by fire. The mill was rebuilt the next year and included a storage building connected by a covered passage for wagons.

In 1897, when Martin Thompson became full owner, he converted to the new roller milling system and changed the name to Boston Roller Mills. Throughout the years, the mill produced flour for farmers along with its own brands: Valley Rose, Thompson’s Best and Cream of the Valley; and in later years: livestock feed.

A Part of the Willamette Valley’s Farming History

Advances in technology, such as this steam-powered tractor, coupled to a combine harvester, helped mid-1800’s Oregon wheat farmers put more acreage into production. (Image courtesy Salem Online History)

During World War I the mill operated 24 hours a day. Ott Thompson added concrete grain storage silos in 1917. These were the first "continuous pour" concrete silos between Portland and San Francisco. A shipping warehouse was built in Shedd in 1918. The mill and buildings remain an integral part of the history of Linn County and the Willamette Valley.