Built in 1890, the J.C. Barron Mill, known today as the Oakesdale Mill, is the last surviving mill of its kind in Whitman County, about 40 miles south of Spokane. Towering four stories over the center of Oakesdale, the wooden structure remains an important symbol for the town whose summer festival, Old Mill Days, is named after it. Aside from occasional tours by former owners, its doors have been shut since 1960.
• Two parcels of land, approximately 2 acres total
• Divided by platted right-of-way
• McCoy Creek to the east
• Railroad to the west; 2-3 trains/week
• Highway 27 to the west
• Regulatory floodplain
• Water and sewer connections west of highway and east of creek
With the help of community donors, Spokane-based Innovia Foundation bought the property in May of 2024 and transferred ownership to the Port in December of 2024. As a special purpose district with a focus on economic development, the Port’s goals for the site are to increase job opportunities, support economic growth, and ensure long-term viability while preserving a historic landmark.
The Port’s role as owner is to facilitate redevelopment of the site and selection of future uses. Should the site be developed to function as a leased space, the Port will facilitate the selection of any lessees. Business management will be the responsibility of any occupants, similar to a landlord-tenant relationship.
The Port has contracted with J-U-B Engineers, Inc., and its subcontractors The Metts Group, and The Langdon Group to conduct a feasibility study to better understand the potential uses and economic growth opportunities for the Mill.
The goals of the study include:
- Building on previous work completed to-date
- Incorporating community feedback
- Identifying site readiness, barriers, and costs
- Determining possible uses that support the local economy, job creation, and are viable long-term
- Informing the Port Commissioners about feasible options to determine next steps for development
The project will include review of 3 major components:
1. Site and Utilities Analysis
- Determine site restrictions and suitability for development
2. Market and Economic Analysis
- Review of similar locations and potential uses
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Economic impact assessment
3. Public Outreach
- Identify and incorporate community values
- Ensure recommendations are informed by community experience
The Port was awarded grant funds from the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) to assess the suitability of the site for development and to explore potential future uses for the space.
Historically, community fundraising efforts have been relied upon to secure the Mill’s future. With the Port’s ownership, grants and other funding options available to port districts will be assessed and pursued as the project develops.
