The Six-Story Mill Built on a Rock in the Spokane River

For years, one of the great drawbacks to farming in this county has been the lack of a market for grain. A certain quantity was always saleable to meet local consumption, and when that was supplied—only a few hundred bushels—the producer was stranded with the balance of his crop on his hands. The advent of the railroad remedied this difficulty to a considerable extent, but even then freights were so high that little profit was left to the farmer after shipping to a ready market.

Now all this has changed, and for years to come the grain growers of Spokane County, and those of neighboring counties, will find a market for their cereals in this city. This great and advantageous change is to be accounted for in two ways: first, we now have two fine mills to handle the wheat; secondly, a house has been established here to buy grain for shipment. But at present we have to deal with the most important trio in the matter of grain consumption, and that is THE ECHO MILL.

Over a year ago S. G. Havermale and B. F. Davis formed a copartnership for the purpose of constructing a flouring mill on a scale to surpass any institution of the kind in the territory. With that praiseworthy object in view they broke ground—or rather rock—for the present gigantic establishment on the 16th day of May, 1882. The site chosen was the center of what is known as Little Island, just in front of the city to the north: an irregular-shaped solid piece of rock about an acre in extent, connected with the city by the Howard Street bridge, and washed on all sides by the rushing Spokane. The western peak projects out over one of the most attractive of the series of falls and cataracts for which the place is noted. The island is some feet above the river and never overflows. From the mill pond, made by the dam at the east end and south side of the island, a flume was cut through the rock diagonally across the island, running the water beneath the mill.

Work progressed on the double structure—the mill and elevator—slowly, little being done during the winter. Great care was taken in the selection of the timbers, and only the most competent workmen were employed. While the work was under the direction of J. L. Bailey, a careful and experienced builder, the firm always took personal interest in the construction and superintended it. Work progressed steadily up to the present writing, and while the mammoth skeleton is at last covered and boarded up, there is sufficient work yet to do to keep a force of builders busy until late in the fall. It is safe to say that a more substantial frame building is not standing in the territory today. Founded upon the natural and everlasting rocks, it has been put together from the very ground timbers to the rafters with assiduous care. The beams and supports and braces and joists and timbers are massive, singly and collectively, and have been joined together with the one purpose in view of strength and durability. No expense has been spared, and the proprietors are very well repaid for the time spent on the work with a building that cannot be excelled.

The mill proper is 50x100 feet with six floors. It is the only house of the two to be seen from the south, and it towers high above the roofs of the surrounding city. It is strikingly conspicuous on account of its gigantic size, but one can hardly estimate its dimensions until he stands beside it and looks upward, or makes a trip to the top story and gazes about him. Adjoining the mill to the north is the elevator, a building 30x40 feet, three stories high. This of itself would be considered quite a respectable building set off by itself, but alongside the mill it dwindles down to insignificance, and in comparative size looks like a dry goods box beside a four-story brick block. The elevator has a storage capacity of 20,000 bushels, and it has been a question in the minds of the owners if they would not have to import grain in order to supply the demand when running full-handed. The mill, when it receives the full amount of machinery, will have capacity for turning out 600 barrels of flour a day. Flour is to be manufactured by the new process now entirely in vogue among the mills of Minneapolis and all cities producing a first-class grade of flour, known as the gradual reduction system, in which the old-fashioned burrs are discarded and heavy steel rollers are used instead. The power is to come from the inexhaustible water supply, and with it the mill, and ten thousand more just like it, can be kept in constant operation every day in the year and every hour in the day. The patent and powerful turbine water wheels are to be used, one being already in place. The first lot of machinery is expected this week, and much more is to arrive this fall. The firm calculated to commence operations on or about the middle of September, but on account of a failure to receive the machinery in time it is impossible to start up before the first of October. An experienced miller will have charge of the manufacturing department, and a force of mill men perfectly conversant with the business will be employed.

The most sanguine are predicting that the Echo Mills will turn out as good flour as can be sent to the very best market, and expect to see the time when its brand will be in great demand throughout the North and West. The entire mill property complete, including only the buildings and machinery, has cost upward of $50,000.

PERSONAL. In this connection it would not be out of place to say a few words in regard to the proprietors, both of whom have been identified with Spokane Falls for years. The senior partner, S. G. Havermale, came to the place eight years ago, when there was scarcely little of a place here. He took up the second claim staked upon in this locality, having been preceded by James N. Glover, the present Mayor. Mr. Havermale found the country mixed up with a good many hardships at the start, and for some time it was a question whether he, in conjunction with the meagre crop of neighbors, would continue to exist. He had the foresight to see that eventually the falls would be the site of a city, and perhaps pictured in his mind the day when he might claim ownership to the valuable milling interests he is now at the head of. By the acquirement of land Mr. Havermale came into an interest in the water power along the city front and other good property, a portion of which has been laid off as Havermale's addition to the city of Spokane Falls, one of the choicest additions that has yet been laid out on account of its proximity to the business center. He has seen many changes take place since first he located in what was then a wilderness, has grown gray with the lapse of years spent on the frontier, and has always held a warm place in the hearts of old settlers and new arrivals, who respect and honor him for his many good qualities. B. F. Davis is another man who may be considered a pioneer, although his advent into this particular part of Eastern Washington only dates back four years. However, four years ago the country was very sparsely settled, and Spokane was in its very tender infancy. Little or nothing was known of the country, and the inhabitants were scattered a considerable distance apart. Then the railroad had not opened out its line of traffic, and the system of communication was reduced to wagon travel, horseback, or foot. Mr. Davis also felt as though it was worth a man's trouble to remain with the Falls, and his success in a business point of view can be attributed to his staying qualities. He has been engaged in active business ever since making this his home, and has thrived accordingly. He is a man who commands the good will of the entire populace and deserves the success that he is sure to meet with in the present undertaking. We, together with the many friends of the firm, hope the gentlemen will make a big, big fortune out of the Echo Mills.