South Lake Union in Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Millstone

— about 1885 —

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, August 22, 2024

1. Columbia River Paper Company Millstone Marker

Inscription. This millstone once made newspapers. It is from Washington Territory's first paper mill, the Columbia River Paper Company. Publisher Henry L. Pittock founded the mill in 1884, primarily to supply The Oregonian, his newspaper in nearby Portland. The stone was used to grind wood fibers into pulp.

The mill was located on the north bank of the Columbia River in what is now Camas, Washington. The site was near sources of timber to feed the mill and water to power it. It was also located near a major waterway to transport the finished product. A growing town followed the mill’s establishment, and the mill went on to become the dominant industry in Camas for more than a century.

Caption
(Photo #1) The Columbia River Paper Company mill is pictured in the 1890s. Courtesy Clark County Historical Museum.

Erected by MOHAI (Museum of History & Industry).

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 47° 37.66′ N, 122° 20.224′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in South Lake Union. It can be reached

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from Terry Avenue North. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle WA 98109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Puget Sound Region.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Camas Mill Millstone (here, next to this marker); Seattle Fire Department bell (a few steps from this marker); U.S. Naval Reserve Armory (a few steps from this marker); Clock from Carroll’s Fine Jewelry (a few steps from this marker); At Work on Lake Union (a few steps from this marker); The Steamer Virginia V (within shouting distance of this marker); Arthur Foss (within shouting distance of this marker); Fisheries (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.

Millstone Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, August 22, 2024

2. Millstone Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 7, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.