Pataha Flour Mill finding new life
It was once one of five water-powered flour mills in Garfield County, grinding grains destined for local and far-flung markets.
Now, the Pataha Flour Mill in Pomeroy, Wash., is the last. Owner Jon Van Vogt says the others have long since burned, but he and his family are working to preserve the remaining three-story mill, built in 1878.
“Everything is fully intact. Nothing was gutted out of it. … It has everything that was in it 130 years ago,” Van Vogt says.
He and his wife, Louise, purchased the mill 13 years ago and have been restoring it since. The Van Vogts, their five children and several volunteers offer tours of the historic building.
Jon Van Vogt is a pastor who holds a Sunday morning church service at the mill. It has hosted reunions, weddings, funerals and more.
The family also runs a small restaurant there to collect donations to keep the mill intact. Lunches are served Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a Saturday night dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. always includes their country-style pork ribs. Diners pay a donation for their meals.
The Van Vogts are bottling Mill House Salad Dressing and Gourmet Sauce to raise money for mill restoration as well. The dressing started as a dressing and marinade that Louise Van Vogt whipped together for the Mill Restaurant. It has a simple ingredient list: oil, garlic, lemon juice, water, salt and pepper. It costs $4 per bottle and can be purchased at the mill or by making arrangements with Van Vogt by calling (509) 843-3799.
Van Vogt says he loves hearing stories from old-timers in the area who had pajamas and underwear made from flour sacks from the mill, known as the Houser Mill for most of its existence. His family ties to the area stretch back four generations when his mother’s ancestors came to the area to homestead.
“To try to preserve these old places is a real passion of mine,” he says.
The Pataha Flour Mill is about two hours from Spokane and about 30 minutes from the Lewiston-Clarkston area. The address is 50 Hutchens Hill Road in Pomeroy. There is more information at www.patahaflourmill.com.