The dedicated-but-small membership of the Whitman County Genealogical Society in Pullman, WA, just went on their annual “picnic.” This is really an annual outing and since I am a member I joined them this time. The group rendezvoused in Pullman early on a Friday morning and drove the 90 minutes southeast to the town of Pomeroy and a great lunch at the being-restored Pataha Flour Mill. Here are Mary, Janet, Marge and Luke at the entrance…. old vintage “stuff” was everywhere! (Monica and Don not shown.)

After a wonderful lunch (for which there was no fixed charge but only a donation barrel!!) we were free to wander up and down and all around the old mill. I spotted interesting old “stuff and things” like this “Automatic Vegetable Juicer” and some really, really potent weed and bug killer:

The Pataha Four Mill was founded in 1878; the name means “Brushy Creek” in the Nez Perce language. The mill produced the famous XXX brand flour from that early year up until 1943.

Long story short, the mill is now owned by the John Van Vogt family and is a delightful historic place to visit and have lunch. Check for hours or to make a lunch reservation at patahafourmills@gmail.com or visit their website, www.patahaflourmill.com

More on the rest of our trip to Pomeroy in Garfield County next week.