1861: The Crosby Flouring Mill

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The Crosby Flouring Mill, also known as the Lincoln Flouring mill, is shown here shortly after its completion in 1861.  The view is looking North, across the "Long Bridge", from Tumwater to Olympia.

Nathaniel Crosby built the five-story mill in a location that allowed it to be powered by the falls of the Deschutes River.  It had a 4-stone grist mill which had a capacity of fifty bushels per day.

Unfortunately, the building burned in a fire in 1904.

Nathaniel Crosby III was born in 1836, of of a family of sea captains from Massachusetts.  His father had come to the Northwest after being send on the O.C. Raymond with supplies for Northwest Settlers, and he decided that this area was for him, as well.

Nathaniel was the grandfather of Entertainer Bing Crosby.

The entire family came to the Puget Sound by ship in 1849 to settle.   Nathaniel purchased Michael T. Simmon's (One of the original settlers in Tumwater) and built the flouring mill, and a variety store in Tumwater to sell his wares.

The Crosby House was built in 1858 by Nathaniel for an anniversary with his wife, Cordelia. 

The house had been continuously occupied by the Crosby family since it was built, until it was old to the City of Tumwater by Bing. 

It still contains many of the original furnishings and the original unique hand-hewn handrail leading to the upstairs. 

The house still stands today, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.  Its managed by the City of Tumwater, serving as a museum.

The Crosby Store was built in 1852 at the north end of Deschutes Way near the Crosby House.  Pictured here are Tumwater residents clustered around Nathaniel (without the hat).