PAHS to present on Valley City Milling Company’s history

Milling has been an important component of Portland’s financial history since 1837 when the Newman’s first built a mill along the Looking Glass River. The mill underwent many changes under their ownership: additions were built, sections burned and were rebuilt, and new products were added. In 1923, the mill was sold to the Rowe family when their Valley City Milling factory, the producers of Lily White Flour, in Grand Rapids burned. It continued to operate as Valley City Milling until being sold to Central Soya.

Saturday, May 6 from 11-5 and Sunday May 7 from 12-5 the Portland Area Historical Society will be hosting an exhibit on the Valley City Milling Company’s history as part of the Tri-River Spring Into the Past Event. It will be in the Red Mill on Water Street. The public is invited to visit the exhibit. There is no charge and there will be guides to answer questions.