Prosser in Benton County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Taylor and Kemp Flour Mill

Photographed by Clayton Pickett, May 16, 2026

1. Taylor and Kemp Flour Mill Marker

Inscription.
Standing at this site in 1886 one would have seen Colonel William Farrand Prosser negotiating with the chief of the Yakima Indian tribe camped along the Yakima River for Lewis Heinzerling to build his dream mill when this was still Washington Territory. This was one of the first mills erected in the state and, at one time, the only one grinding wheat flour by harnessing the waters of the Yakima River with a dam to power the mill stones.

In 1888 the Honorable George S. Taylor, who came to this valley in 1866, purchased the mill and placed his young son, Emery, in charge. Ezra Kemp, a pioneer Englishman, who settled here in 1882, acquired a half ownership in 1899. The firm was henceforth known as Taylor and Kemp Flour Mill. In 1906 the Northern Pacific left Prosser with a carload of flour for the "San Francisco Sufferers" of the great earthquake and in 1939 over 10,000 barrels were shipped to China. For 58 years the Taylor and Kemp Flour Mill provided a substantial payroll to this community. This historic landmark was struck by lightning and destroyed in a spectacular fire on August 23, 1945.

(Photo caption)
Built by Lewis Heinzerling in 1887

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 46° 12.767′

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N, 119° 46.208′ W. Marker is in Prosser, Washington, in Benton County. It is at the intersection of Grant Avenue and 10th Street, on the left when traveling north on Grant Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 Grant Ave, Prosser WA 99350, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Columbia Basin and in Yakima Valley.

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 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Matthew's Episcopal Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Princess Theatre (approx. half a mile away); The Golden Rule Store (approx. 0.6 miles away); Original Building (approx. 0.6 miles away); Benton County Courthouse (approx. 0.6 miles away).

Photographed by Clayton Pickett, May 16, 2026

2. Taylor and Kemp Flour Mill Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2026, by Clayton Pickett of Richland, Washington. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 17, 2026, by Clayton Pickett of Richland, Washington. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.