Colville in Stevens County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Arden Mill Stones

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 6, 2025

1. Arden Mill Stones marker

Inscription. These old mill stones served the people of this area in pioneer days. Two of them came here from Tumwater in 1858-59, after reputedly having been brought around Cape Horn. They were used here in a grist mill near Arden - the first American mill north of the Snake River.
Gift of Dr. S.P. McPherson of Chewelah and Judge and Mrs. W. Lon Johnson

Erected 1957 by County Commissioners.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 48° 32.552′ N, 117° 54.23′ W. Marker is in Colville, Washington, in Stevens County. It is at the intersection of South Oak Street and E Birch Ave, on the right when traveling north on South Oak Street. It is on the front lawn of the county courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 215 S Oak St, Colville WA 99114, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Okanogan Highlands

and in Greater Spokane.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies:

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Fort Colville (approx. 2.4 miles away); Site of Pinkney City (approx. 2½ miles away); a different marker also named Fort Colville (approx. 11 miles away); St. Paul's Mission (approx. 11 miles away).

Additional keywords. wheat grinding

Arden Mill Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 6, 2025

2. Arden Mill Site

Registered State Historic Place Washington State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation - Under the provisions of the state historic preservation act of 1867, this property possesses particular value in commemorating or illustrating American history. Placed on the State Register Oct. 1, 1971, by the Governor's Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 6, 2025

3. Arden Mill Stones Marker

Wide angle view showing its location on the courthouse lawn.

This photo indicates the three plaques marking the grist stones. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 6, 2025

4. This photo indicates the three plaques marking the grist stones.

Also, there are two additional plaques, tiny ones, showing the year 1859 and 1872 for two of the three stones.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 6, 2025

5. Arden Mill Stones Marker

County Commissioners J. E. ATWOOD E H. COLE CLAUDE L. NAFF 1957 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 6, 2025

6. County Commissioners J. E. ATWOOD E H. COLE CLAUDE L. NAFF 1957

Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 91 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on September 20, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 9, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.