Creekside Grill and Picnic Area at Former Fischer Flour Mill Site - Silverton, Oregon
Originally uploaded by
One of my favorite restaurants for takeout workweek lunch in Silverton is the at 242 S. Water Street — before you enter the downtown area.
The sandwiches are good but the location is even better – across the street and a couple of blocks over from the Appeal Tribune office, where I work every Tuesday. Plus, this restaurant is true to its name with a picturesque outdoor seating area on warm days overlooking Silver Creek.
On a rare dry day in November, I discovered at neat place to eat outdoors, not related to Creekside Grill, that’s a short walk away from both the restaurant and my office. It’s a picnic area off South Water with a lot of historical significance — if there’s anything that’s richly intertwined with the present-day needs of East Willamette Valley towns, it’s pioneer history.
The picnic site is located behind the Fischer Building (formerly an office building for the historic mill) where you can eat lunch or sit for a while. Beyond the picnic tables, the rubble of the foundation of the former Fischer flour mill emerges from Silver Creek and autumn leaves. This little picnic area doesn’t seem to have an official name, but it was developed by Silverton’s Rotary Club back in the day. A historic marker commemorates the inception of the picnic area and the story of the Fischer Flour Mill.
According to a , a guide you can download online through Historic Silverton, Inc., a series of flour mills dating back to the early 1850s once stood along Silver Creek south of Main Street. In 1898 the Fischer family bought the Oregon Milling Company and in 1918 the Fischer office building was built.
I always find myself drawn to the ruins of history, though most people probably aren’t enthralled by boring foundations of old rock. But for me, the remains of a building or structure that once had such an impact on people’s daily lives connects me to the needs of the present. For that reason I find this hidden spot very peaceful and beautiful.
I took my photos with my cell phone, and unfortunately, this one turned out the best of that set. Next time I’ll remember my camera.
TO FIND THE SITE
The Fischer Building is located at 408 S Water St. Take the path behind the police department parking lot next door to get to the picnic site.
Posted
on
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 3:47 am under