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Goldendale Roller Mills, from the Standard Atlas of Klickitat County, Washington, 1913

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., May 18, 1922, page 1

GOLDENDALE MILL BURNS TO GROUND

     The four-story flour mill of the Goldendale Milling Co., owned by W.A. Taylor, located just across the Klickitat northwest of town, together with all the machinery and its contents was totally destroyed by a spectacular fire Monday night. The office and flour building adjoining the mill on the north side was also destroyed, and it was with great effort that the fire department was able to keep the flames from spreading to the residence of Mr. Taylor, some distance to the north of the mill, so intense was the heat from the burning of mill.
     The fire broke out suddenly about nine o'clock, and Mr. Taylor and wife had just gone to bed. They did not know what the mill was on fire until a neighbor rushed in and told them. By that time the whole upper part of the mill was ablaze, it being apparent that the fire broke out in the third story. The fire department was on the job quickly, but the fire was so large and the heat so intense the best they could do was to devote their efforts towards saving the residence and other property that was in danger.
     The fire caused considerable excitement and most everyone was out to see it. The flames reached many feet into the still air from the top of the high building, sending up myriads of cinders and clouds of black smoke against which the fire reflected, making a large bright glow, that could be seen for miles around.
     Mr. Taylor, who came from Oregon and acquired the property something like eighteen months ago, was just getting the mill in shape to be able to do some business, having added some new machinery to the equipment. He states he lost 2,000 bushels of milling wheat and 2,780 sacks of flour in the blaze.
     It is stated the property was insured in an amount something like $21,000, which covered the building and the machinery.
     The mill was located on a good water power site, the water coming from Bloodgood creek, and was constructed something like thirty years ago. Its destruction marks the passing of one of the old land marks in Goldendale.


The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., May 19, 1922, page 1

FLOUR MILL AT GOLDENDALE DESTROYED BY FIRE

     The Goldendale Milling Co.'s flour mill at Goldendale was totally destroyed in a spectacular fire Monday night. The loss was estimated at $35,000, including the four-story frame building, machinery and a heavy stock of flour, wheat and feed.
     Origin of the fire was unknown. The flames were first observed at 9 p.m. by a passer-by on the road near the fair grounds, where the mill was located, and the alarm turned in. W.A. Taylor, the owner, was asleep in a residence adjoining the mill. The flames had gained too great headway to be successfully combated. The glare against the sky, lighting up the country for miles around, attracted persons from all parts of Klickitat county, many coming in autos from a distance of 30 miles.
     The Goldendale fire department was hard-pressed saving the mill residences. The flames were finally subdued about 10 o'clock.
     The mill was built 30 years ago and was water power with steam auxiliary. Mr. Taylor said the loss was partially covered by insurance.

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