Albany Mills

Magnolia Flouring Mill
Albany City Flouring Mills
Monteith & Sons Flouring Mills
The Albany Custom Mill
Red Crown Mill

Thomas and Walter Monteith traveled to Oregon in 1847 and settled in Albany in 1848. Charlotta Amelia (Monteith) Pipe, born July 8, 1860, daughter of Thomas and Christine M. (Dunbar) Monteith and wife of James V. Pipe, was interviewed and also provided Leslie Haskin with some family records. "Thomas Monteith, with his brother Walter, crossed the plains to Oregon in 1847. Another member of the party at that time was Samuel Althouse who later became a prominent Albany citizen. . . [Underlining of Albany mill names was added.]

". . . One of the first important business enterprises in Albany was the erection of the Magnolia Flouring Mill[s] by the Monteith brothers. A partner in this enterprise was . . . Samuel Althouse. Later Thomas Monteith built what was known as the Albany City Mills. The Magnolia Mills was started in 1851, the Albany City Mills in 1865. . .

Magnolia Flouring Mills
{Illustrated Historical Atlas Map of Linn and Marion Counties, Oregon}
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"The Monteith brothers established a ferry across the Willamette [River] in order to facilitate travel to the town [Albany]. This ferry was located just east of the Magnolia Flouring Mills and the street running north and south at that place is now named Ferry Street. . ." {PS, Vol 4, p 49-50}

Charlotta Pipe shared infromation written by Fred Lockley. "The embryo town of Albany, named by the Monteith brothers for Albany, N. Y., soon had nearly a dozen people. There were Hiram Smead [Smeed], Abram Hackleman, John Burkhart, Captain J. M. McConnell, John Layton and a Mr. [Truet] Davis. Davis and Layton built a frame house and opened a store.

"In 1851 J. M. McConnell and the Monteiths went into partnership and opened a store. In the winter of 1850-51 Isaac Hutchins built a house which he rented to Rev. J. P. Miller [James Patterson Millar], in which house the first court ever held in [this part of] Linn [County] convened in 1852. In 1851 work was started on a mill called the Magnolia Mill to handle the wheat raised in the valley. The partners in the mill were Sam Hill, Sam Althouse, Jerry Driggs and Walter and Thomas Monteith. The mill started grinding in 1852. The same year the first steamboat that ever went up the Willamette as far as Albany went to the mills to get flour. When the Multnomah tied up at the mill all the people in that part of the country were there to give her welcome. . . {PS, Vol 4, p 51 quoted from "In Earlier Days", Oregon Journal} [In a December 1851 letter from Albany, Elizabeth Miller wrote that the first steamboat arrived in Albany in the fall of 1851.]

"In 1856 [1865] Mr. [Thomas] Monteith helped establish the Albany City Flouring Mills, which were run under the firm name of Beach, Monteith & Company until 1876. Mr. [Demas] Beach dying, Mr. Monteith assumed control of the mill. . . {Thomas Monteith obituary from the Albany Democrat of July 26, 1889} [The Albany City Flouring Mills was located to the east of the Magnolia Mill at the foot of Broadalbin Street on the Willamette River.] The sketch in the 1878 Illustrated Historical Atlas Map of Linn and Marion Counties, Oregon shows the name changed to Monteith & Sons' Flouring Mills. For a time Archibald 'Arch' Monteith, the oldest son of Thomas and Christine Monteith, worked in the flouring mill with his father. {DLC, Vol 10, p 77-80 from PS, Vol 4, p 52}

Monteith & Sons' Flouring Mills
{Illustrated Historical Atlas Map of Linn and Marion Counties, Oregon}
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Part of the family information was a two part 1907 "Early Albany" article by 1847 pioneer John J. Davis, son of Truet Davis, published in the Albany Democrat. ". . . In the fall of 1849 Anderson Cox began construction of a sawmill on a small stream which is now spanned by a county bridge on the road between Albany and Jefferson, and this was the first sawmill built in Linn County. I worked on the mill from start to finish. The mill was started in the month of November 1850 [1849]. In the spring of 1850 [1849] Walter Monteith and others began hauling logs to the mill in order to have them out as soon as the mill was ready to start. The capacity was about 2,500 feet per day. It ran day and night when there was plenty of water. The lumber for the first frame house that was built in Albany was cut during that winter, and in the spring of 1851 [1850] Mr. Monteith built a residence, on Second street between Washington and Calapooia, built fronting on Washington street, on the south side of Second, there it is yet standing a little further to the west.

"In the summer of 1851 Mr. Schwathay procured lumber and during the winter following built a one story frame on Third between Washington and Calapooia, 18 by 24 feet. . .

"From 1847 to 1850 we went to Oregon City to mill, a long ways, but it beat boiled wheat. With an ox team it took five days to make the round trip. In the winter of 1849-50 [1847-48] Dick Findley built a flour mill on the Calapooia about 12 miles above Brownsville. He quarried the burr stones out of the hills. Being a mill-wright he put the mill in running order himself. In the latter part of summer or early fall of 1850 [1848] the mill began running, and many went to the mill for flour for the winter. It was pretty hard looking flour, but it beat going to Oregon City. It only took three days for a round trip from Albany with oxen. In the summer of 1850 Morgan and Elmore Kees began the construction of a flouring mill at Waterloo. Having bad luck with the dam the mill was not completed until 1851. Jake Kees, who became rich, was the miller. The trip to this mill could be made in two days. Don't know whether the Kees burrs were French or Oregon. The flour looked much like the Finley flour, no whiter.

"The first mill in Albany was built by Mr. Monteith, Mr. [Jerry] Diggs and Sam Althouse, who began the erection of it in 1851. Labor was scarce and the mill went up very slowly. $3 a day was the price of common labor, not to be had at any price. The frame timbers had to be hewed, with construction with the broadaxe. Late in the summer of 1852 the frame of the Magnolia mill was raised and the machinery installed as it arrived, bought broom the Hudson['s] Bay Co.'s ships, the burrs and other machinery to Portland, from there by ox team to Albany. In the winter of 1852 Mr. Monteith installed one set of burrs and began grinding. I worked for the company both on the dam and the excavating for the foundation of the mill.

"Gold was discovered on the Calapooia and also at the Kees mill before this.

"The first store was built by Ashby Pearce. In 1852 Mr. Pearce erected a building for a store and put in a stock of goods of all descriptions of course, a limited assortment. It stood north of the Sternberg store on Water St., and was 18 by 24 feet. The lumber was put up just as it came from the saw, and the cracks were stripped with the same material. . . {Albany Democrat, January 25, 1907, p 6}

Davis comments, ". . . Perhaps the first accident was when Sam Althouse fell a distance of 36' while helping to raise the frame of the Magnolia mill. He landed at the bottom of the mill pit and was thought to be dead. Dr. R. C. Hill was called and pronounced him alive, and in a few minutes he breathed through the help of the Dr. He was then rubbed and given medicine. No bones were broken, and Mr. Althouse was soon up and out. . .

"In 1854 Mr. Monteith put two sets of French burrs in the Magnolia mill and began making merchant flour, and a large amount was shipped to the mines and elsewhere. Once I saw, at one time, one hundred and fifty pack mules leave Albany loaded down to the guard with flour, bacon, and butter. One mule had on three fifteen gallon kegs of whisky, which made the mule groan. Think the mule was in favor of local option during the trip." {J. J. Davis copy for Albany Democrat dated January 23, 1907 wasn't printed.}

J. J. Davis continued the following week, ". . . Women and sisters underwent all the hardships of the men, ate the boiled wheat, the venison, drank the pea coffee, etc. the same as the men, and the mothers spun and wove many thousands of yards of cloth in the early days. . .

". . . When I came here the bread was made of sunflour seeds, couse and acorns, dried and mixed in about equal portions and ground in a stone mortar. The bread was baked upon flat stones, which had been previously heated, the
stones being kept for that purpose.

"Here is the way the Indians made fire without matched, flint or steel. A round pitch rod about two feet long, about the size of a pencil, was placed in a hole in a pitch block about two by four inches, the ends being sharpened, then the rod was whirled in the palms of the hands, and in two to five minutes there was a blaze.

"Couse was a small, white tuber growing in clusters like grapes, the size of a pea or acorn, white as rice. Macamish was a bulb, onion shaped, from the size of walnuts up. These four vegetables were the Indians main dependence for bread. They were cooked and served other ways, also gophers and mice, taking the place of sirloin etc.

"Mortars were used by the Calapooia Indians when I first came into Linn County and for several years afterwards . . .

"When the flouring mills started the Indians had no further use for their mortars and wheat flour was used. The Calapooias were industrious. They made brooms from splits riven from hazel and wild cherry, which they sold to pioneer women, and these were the only brooms in use for several years. They split rails, made shakes, did farm work and dressed and sold buckskins to the immigrants, for their clothes and shoes. They were a great help to early settlers, as labor was scarce. . .

"James Briggs, while cutting a mill race uncovered a large horn, seven feet long, weighing 36 pounds. This was on the place of Mr. Walker on the Corvallis road, about 45 years ago. About the same time Mr. A. M. Smith while cutting a drain ditch uncovered three large teeth, one weighing four pounds. This was on the Riles Hutchins place, in a big slough near the ash grove, under ground about two feet, and I believe the entire animal can be found. It is said they belong to the bovine kind. . ." {Albany Democrat, February 3, 1907, p 4}

The 1878 Albany City Directory gives more details about the town's flouring mills. "Of these we have three, the largest of which is the Magnolia Mill, owned by J. H. Foster, and located on the Calapooia [River] at the upper [west] end of First street. The building is three stories high, with a basement, and, besides storage room for flour, has wheat bins capable of holding about 75,000 bushels. Just above the mill a dam has been constructed across the Calapooia, which furnishes the power for two large 4-foot Leffel turbine wheels. Still another wheel, of the same pattern, but only about half the size of the others, is used, the water being brought from the canal and having a 36-foot head. Six run of burrs are used in this mill, which turn out in twenty-four hours about 350 barrels of extra quality of flour. Connected with the mil, and located just south of it is a large grain elevator, with a storage capacity of about 90,000 bushels. The power used in elevating the grain is furnished by a 13 1/2 inch Burnham wheel, run by water power from the Canal, having a fall of 26 feet.

"The Albany City Mills, owned by Thos. Monteith, are situated on the north side of Water street, between Ferry and Broadalbin. They were erected in 1865 by Beach & Monteith and A. Hanan: the latter gentleman sold out shortly after and the firm remained under the name of Beach & Monteith until a few years ago, when the senior member [Demas Beach] died. The main building is large and commodious, three stories high, with a basement, and runs back to the river, forming probably the best wharf and boat landing in the city. This mill has four run of burrs, and can turn out about 200 barrels per day. Wheat bins connected with the mill have a storage capacity of 100,000 bushels, and in the basement and on the first floor is unlimited storage room for flour. Water is brought to this mill for propelling the machinery, from the dam on the Calapooia, the race having been built by the old firm of Beach & Monteith at a cost of about $10,000. Two 4-foot Leffel wheels are used, the water having a 11-foot fall.

"Both the Magnolia and Albany City Mills turn out a very fine quality of flour, the most of which is shipped to European ports and always meets with ready sale.

"The Albany Custom Mill, owned by Mrs. E. R. Cheadle, supplies a want long felt in the community--that of grinding wheat and other grain for toll. Of course it is not large, only using one run of burrs and a chopper, turning out about 60 barrels of flour in twenty-four hours. The miller, Mr. G. B. Erwin, claims that he turns out a better quality of flour than can be had in this city, and it must be good, as the mill is very well patronized. It is situated at there foot of Broadalbin street, and is run by water from the Canal. The wheel used is a 13-inch Burnham, and the water has a fall of about 22 feet. About 60,000 bushels of wheat can be stored at the mill." {p 36-37}

The 1911-12 Albany City Directory lists Magnolia Mills, Portland Flouring Mills Co. with A. W. Bowersox as agent. {p 102} A page 1 picture in the February 24, 1959 Albany Democrat-Herald shows the Magnolia Mill being torn down. The caption states, "Workmen were busy today demolishing one of the oldest remnants of early Albany industry. Rapidly disappearing here is the old Albany Magnolia flour mill at First avenue and Calapooia street, built nearly 100 years ago by four of Albany's first settlers, Thomas and Walter Monteith, Tom Crawford and Sam Althouse. It was powered by water flumed from the Albany canal, and was developed into a full-fledged flour mill after 1910 and until a few years ago it had been used by M. Senders & Co. as a grain warehouse. The demolishing crain is operated by Oregon Electric railway, which owns the property. Local O. E. officials said they have no information as to possible future use of the site."

Anna (Ward) Bonar was interviewed by Leslie Haskin on June 5, 1940. She was the granddaughter of Thomas Ward, whose oldest son, Scott Ward, was born near present LaGrande on September 9, 1847 as they traveled to the Willamette Valley. Later Scott married Francis Ann Isom. John and Elizabeth (Messersmith) Isom came to Oregon in 1853. Anna stated, ". . . In 1884, my grandfather, John Isom, moved to Albany and purchased the Parker and Morris Warehouse. His partner in this venture was John Settle. Later, Settle withdrew from the firm and his place was taken by a Mr. Lanning. The warehouse was enlarged and altered and made into the present Red Crown Mill. He ran that mill until he retired in 1895. . ." {PS, Vol 1, p 34}

Portland Flouring Mills Co. Red Crown Mills in Albany
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The miller was Alfred J. Milln, whose brother, John, was a miller at Oregon City. {Nadine Milln, West Linn}

The Albany City Directory for 1892 lists John Isom and E. J. Lanning as owners of Isom, Lanning & Co. Red Crown Roller Mills. The Albany City Directory for 1905 and 1911-12 lists The Portland Flouring Mills Co's Red Crown Mill with A. W. Bowersox as agent. {p 86 & 126} Their inside cover ads for "Snow Flake" Family Flour lists their specialties as "Wholewheat Flour, Graham, Germ, Bran, Shorts and Chop and note Snow Flake is Valley Wheat and Olympic is Hard Wheat. The 1911-12 ad points out that the work was done at either "the Red Crown or Magnolia Mill." The phone number for both mills was 32.

In 1847 John and Martha Settle and Milton and Julia Settle traveled to Oregon from St. Joseph, Missouri. They left Ft Walla Walla three days before the Whitman Incident. After spending a few days at Oregon City they continued on to Lebanon, where John built a house. Then Grandpa John Settle and 1845 pioneer Uncle "Billy Gore started back to Oregon City for flour. It took a months time to make the trip. Grandma [Martha] and Aunt Margaret were left alone with 12 or 14 children to look after. The Indians, deer, and wild animals were thick as hops. . .

"Grandpa [John Settle] . . . helped to build the old flour mill. He and Luther Elkins were stockholders for many years. They used to take their flour to Albany on a flat boat. It would float down and was hauled back [to Lebanon] by mules, on each side [of] the canal. I imagine there are still marks of the old tow paths where the mules plodded along toward the boat back to the mill.

Grandfather and Jno. Isom operated the Red Crown Mills at Albany. Grandpa was a silent partner. Later it was Isom and Lanning, Fred Lanning was Isom's son-in-law. . ." {from a letter by a daughter of James M. and Harriet Settle shared by Pat Dunn}

In the Work Projects Administration History of Linn County that was published in the 1940s, we find, "In August, 1872, the Santiam Ditch and Canal Company was organized, with capital of $30,000, and the canal was commenced forthwith, and completed in the fall of the same year." It then includes nearly the same information as contained in the Albany City Directory, but adds, "The experiment of boating on this canal has been successfully tried. Large quantities of grain have been brought down to Albany by this means. Logs, too, are floated down to the mills at Albany."

Many Chinese laborers worked on the construction of the canal, which now furnishes Lebanon's and Albany's drinking water as well as generates its electrical power. [Slightly modified from the May 1995 LCHS Newsletter.]

The Albany City Directory for 1878 includes a history of the city. It gave information about the canal and businesses that used its water power. "The next step forward made by our city was the construction of the Santiam Canal. This work was commenced in the spring of 1873 and finished up during the following winter, at a cost of $62,000. The main canal taps the [South] Santiam river just below Lebanon, and from there runs direct[ly] to this city, a distance of about twelve miles. On the ridge south of the city the canal has a fall of 9 feet to allow the water to pass under the railroad [tracks]. It enters the city at the south end, dividing at the corner of Vine and Eighth streets, one branch runs down the former street and empties into the Calapooia [River], having a fall of 32 feet. The other branch is taken down Eighth to Thurston, and down that street to the [Willamette] river, furnishing the warehouses, twine factory, foundry, saw and planing mills, etc. with power, having [a] 36 feet fall on the river front. The main canal is 20 feet wide on the bottom a part of the distance, with a four-foot grade, and the remainder is 12 feet wide, with a ten-foot grade, and the water will probably average about three feet in depth. The volume of water carried is about 1600 cubic feet per minute. Some idea of the magnitude of this water power can be formed when it is known that the water in the canal can invariably be used twice, and, in some cases, three times, before it empties into the river. The completion of this Canal has nearly altogether dispensed with the use of steam, only two engines now being in use in the city. Fourteen turbine wheels are now propelled by water from this canal, and others will be added to the number every year. Small races conduct the water from the main branch down several streets from Eighth to the river front, and, besides furnishing the power to propel machinery, renders the construction of five cisterns entirely unnecessary in the main business portion of the city. {p 27-28}

"Cisterns were located in several street intersections to provide water for fire fighting. A bag factory that used a 6-inch Burnham was located on the north side of Water Avenue between Ellsworth and Lyon Streets just below the C. D. Simson warehouse. On the northeast corner of Water and Lyon was the Althouse & Co. sash and door factory, which used water power from the canal to operate a 15-inch Burnham turbine wheel to run the machinery in the mill. The E. Carter & Co. sash and door factory was on Water Avenue between Lyon and Montgomery Streets and used a 20-inch Moore & Parker water wheel. Carter also manufactured harrows and clod-crushers. At the foot of Railroad Street was a saw mill, which used a 30-inch water wheel, and a planer and lath mill, which used a 20-inch water wheel. For several years A. F. Cherry operated the Albany Foundry on Montgomery Street between First and Water. This machine shop building still stands [although now with aluminum siding]. The Putman & Co. machine shop was at Second and Washington. Since this was higher ground, steam was used for power. Next to Cherry's Foundry was the Mollenkopf & Co. pump factory, which made wooden as well as porcelain lined iron pumps. It's pumps won first prize at the 1877 state fair. Another 'best in the state' was the Willert & Busch Wagon and Carriage Factory located at Second and Ferry. On the [Willamette] riverbank next to the Farmer's Warehouse was the West Coast Flax Mills, which made such products as salmon net twine, shoe threads and bagging twine. The Calapooia Boom Company cleaned out the Calapooia River and floated three million board feet of logs down the Calapooia River. {p 37-42}