Thompson's Mills State Heritage Site, Water-powered mill in Shedd, Oregon, United States

Thompson's Mills State Heritage Site is a water-powered mill in Shedd that was originally built in the 1800s and continues to operate today. The building houses original wooden framework and working water turbines that demonstrate how grain processing happened in earlier times.

The mill was first built in 1858, burned down in 1862 and was rebuilt right away; the 12-inch by 12-inch hand-hewn beams cut and placed while Lincoln was in office are still visible inside. A series of owners adapted it from a flour mill to a feed mill and finally a hydroelectric plant that ran until 2004, making it one of Oregon's oldest continuously operating water-powered businesses. Oregon State Parks bought the property in 2004 and opened it to the public in December 2007.

The mill kept its original name through a series of owners who turned a flour mill into a feed mill and finally a hydroelectric plant. Inside, 12-inch by 12-inch hand-hewn beams cut and placed while Lincoln was in office remain visible. The grounds are being restored to the 1910s-1930s era, with an heirloom orchard, gardens and heritage poultry.

The site is open for self-guided exploration during daylight hours, and visitors can join guided tours when available. It is helpful to check ahead about current visiting conditions, as opening hours may vary depending on the season.

The 12-by-12-inch hand-hewn beams were cut and set while Abraham Lincoln was in office, and they remain visible inside the mill. Oregon State Parks bought the property in 2004 and opened it to the public in December 2007 under Governor Ted Kulongoski's "park-a-year" plan.