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Butte Creek Mill anniversary cause for celebration By Mail Tribune Editorial Board Oct 21, 2022 12:00 AM A A Rogue Valley residents — and especially the community of Eagle Point — have reason to celebrate this weekend. The Butte Creek Mill is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Seven years ago Christmas Day, a fire tore through the historic post-and-beam structure, nearly destroying the original building that had stood along Little Butte Creek since 1872. The prospects for rebuilding the mill and restoring it to once again grind flour seemed remote at best. But the community was not to be denied. It has been a long, slow and at times frustrating process since then, and it’s still not finished. But late last year the city of Eagle Point issued a conditional occupancy permit for the milling room, packaging room and basement flour collection room, and the state Department of Agriculture certified those rooms for food production. The original millstones began turning once again, restoring the mill to its place as the last remaining commercial water-powered grist mill west of the Mississippi. The mill became a charitable organization in 2017, and volunteers have powered the restoration efforts. There are no paid staff. This weekend’s celebration features the reopening of the general store, where generations of visitors purchased pancake mix, flour and spices milled on site. Meanwhile, the restoration continues, along with fundraising to pay for the work that still needs to be done. That includes fire-suppression systems and finishing the basement. Members of the Butte Creek Mill Foundation say the organization still needs $600,000 to complete the full restoration. The tireless efforts of local volunteers are largely responsible for the progress to date. Former owner Bob Russell, who deeded the property to the nonprofit foundation, credits community support for reaching this point. More support is still needed, so turn out, show support, and make a donation if you’re so inclined. Sales of mill products also will contribute to the restoration. An open house is planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Old Time Fiddlers will perform, samples of fresh-made waffles will be served, buckwheat flapjacks and pumpkin bread mix will be available for sale, and tours will be offered. Organizers hope to be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday until the holidays. That’s cause for celebration.