In 1858 enterprising settlers in Oregon’s Willamette Valley built a grist mill on a patch of ground along the Calapooia River and named it Boston Mills. In 1861 the town of Boston was platted, and grew out of activities associated with the mill. By 1869 the small town had two general stores, a post office, a blacksmith—and the mill.
In 1871 the Oregon and California Railroad bypassed Boston one and a half miles to the west and a new town named Shedd’s Station (the present-day Shedd) emerged alongside the rail line. Boston literally died overnight. Everyone and everything (including the post office) relocated to Shedd’s Station. The only trace left behind, of course, was the mill, which would flourish and operate continuously for nearly 140 years, eventually becoming Thompson’s Flouring Mills. Because of foresight and continuing hard work, visitors can tour the mill today as part of Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Site, owned by the State of Oregon since 2004.
The Thompson’s Mills Preservation Society invites you to learn about the history that occurred at the mill, through information in these Web pages and through links to others who share our passion for the mill, and we welcome your interest and participation in what we’re doing to preserve this unique piece of Oregon’s past.
Join us on our Facebook Page
Check out the 3D Interactive Mill Tour
- Last Cider Pressing in time for Halloween – Oct 28th
Cider Pressing at Thompson’s Mills Saturday October 28 11am-3pm Halloween Cider at Thompson’s Mills The Thompson’s Mills Preservation Society is hosting their last cider pressing of the season this Saturday, October 28 at Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Site. Everyone is invited to help crush and press the apples. Free samples and half-gallon jugs available to purchase…. - Fresh Cider at Thompson’s Mills October 14
A Thompson’s Mills Preservation Society event Cider at Thompson’s Mills October 14 from 11-3pm—help make and enjoy the best cider you’ve ever tasted. Free and fun for the whole family! Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Site is open dawn to dusk, pack a picnic, take a tour of Oregon’s only surviving water powered… - Cider at Thompson’s Mills – Sept 23
Cider at Thompson’s Mills September 23—11-3pm—help make and enjoy the best cider you’ve ever tasted. Free and fun for the whole family! Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Site is open dawn to dusk, pack a picnic, take a tour of Oregon’s only surviving water powered mill and help make some cider. Free tasting, half gallons for…