Cedar Creek Grist Mill, Woodland, Washington
Posted by: 
Rose Red
N 45° 56.311 W 122° 35.000
10T E 532299 N 5087300
The Cedar Creek Grist Mill is located on a steep and rocky bluff above Cedar Creek just upstream of its confluence with the Lewis River. It is the only grain grinding mill in Washington that has maintained its original structural integrity, grinds with stones, and is water-powered.
Waymark Code: WMK9Z
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 08/06/2006
Views: 21
The Cedar Creek Grist Mill is located on a steep and rocky bluff above Cedar Creek just upstream of its confluence with the Lewis River. It is still operational, grinding grains with stones run by the original (but reconditioned) water-powered turbine. George W. Woodham and his two sons built the water-powered mill in 1875-76. Families throughout north Clark County brought their grain to the mill to be ground into flour or livestock feed. The standard charge was in produce — one bushel in eight going to the miller.
Throughout the coming years the mill changed hands numerous times. The flume was built during the 1880s, the water wheel was replaced with a turbine in 1886, additions to the building were added and removed, and the mill was used for a variety of occupations throughout the years.
In the late 1950s the Washington State Fisheries Department bought the property, removed the old dam and built a fish ladder. Formed in 1980, The Friends of the Cedar Creek Grist Mill, a non-profit corporation, raised money and restored the historic mill back to its original condition of 1876. Members lease the land from the Department of Fisheries. A caretaker moved into a mobile house across the creek from the mill in 1983 for protection. The mill was listed on the Clark County Heritage Register in 1986 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Today the Cedar Creek Grist Mill is a working museum, showing visitors the inside workings of a grist mill of that time period. A covered bridge spanning Cedar Creek was completed in 1994 (see Covered Bridge Waymark). The 11.8 acre site is owned by the Washington State Fish & Wildlife Department and includes the mill, trails, and parking.
From Interstate 5, take the Woodland exit and go a block east on State Highway 503. Immediately turn right onto an unmarked road (signs point to La Center and Amboy), cross the bridge over the Lewis River, and veer left onto Hayes Road, which eventually becomes Cedar Creek Road. After 8 1/2 miles, turn left on Grist Mill Road and go 1/2 mile to the covered bridge and the mill.
Instructions for logging waymark: A photograph is required that shows you (or your GPS receiver, if you are waymarking solo) and the Cedar Creek Grist Mill.
Street address:
9 mi. E of Woodland on Cedar Creek Road
Woodland, Washington USA
98674
County / Borough / Parish: Clark
Year listed: 1975
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event
Periods of significance: 1875-1899
Historic function: Industry/Processing/Extraction
Current function: Tourism
Privately owned?: no
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.