Harrington News

12 members of the El Katif Shriner Band of Spokane performed at the Harrington Opera House Sunday afternoon to an audience of less than 50, several coming from Mohler to enjoy the special music. The afternoon performance began with The Star Spangled Banner, which was well received. Other songs included the Tailgate Rumble, Theme from New York, NY, You're a Grand Old Flag and the Armed Forces Salute. Recognition was given to those in the audience who had served in the various divisions of the military. The audience seemed to appreciate the lively performance and several expressed that it was too short. Donations from this event were divided to benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children and the Opera House elevator fund.

Flour sack salvaged

from farm home

Matt Kennedy, city employee, brought an historic piece of Harrington's memorabilia to town Friday: a flour sack from Harrington Milling Company, a lucrative business venture at the turn of the century which helped put Harrington Wheat Belt on the map. The flour sack was located in the wall of the old Houck farm house that Ken and Melanie Kennedy are remodeling. The sack was used to give strength to the lath and plaster. Bonnie Hardy has offered her services to attempt to remove the plaster from the old flour sack.

Articles of Incorporation were written in 1898 for the Harrington Milling Company and filed in May 1899 with John F Green, Daniel Hock, Albert Mitchum, Davis Johnson and J. Gus Olson as trustees and a capital of $50,000. They constructed a four-story 40 X 60 ft striking edifice atop a basement, furnished with up-to-date milling machinery and were functional in November 1899. A low warehouse addition was annexed to the large building. A.L. Smalley was elected manager for their maiden run, and by mid-October 75,000 bushels of wheat had been stored at the mill with an anticipated 25,000 coming prior to starting the mill. In 1900, it was said to have run 24 hours-a -day grinding with a 175-horse power motor and produced 240 barrels per day. These barrels are said to be 200 pounds each. With a night miller and a day miller, they also employed a dozen laborers. August, 1900 they were shipping 1,000 barrels of flour to Nagasaki, Japan, the second order for that year to Japan. In 1901, Harrington Milling Co was purchased by the Portland Flouring Mill. At the company's best season, the mill employed 33 men, working 11-hour shifts. As early as 1904 advertisements for the Harrington Milling Company included their flour, graham flour, bluestem flour and Morning Glory Breakfast Food and also advertised cedar post, coal, wood, screen doors and windows. In 1906, China was ordering 1000 barrels in spite of a boycott against American goods in China. In 1907, Harrington Milling Co ordered 500-ton of coal, as compared to 420 the previous year. Large overseas orders continued to be reported through the columns of the Harrington Citizen through 1915. The once prosperous venture was slowing, yet continued into the spring of 1920 when the mill was shut down for months at a time, reopened in September and finally closed in November. In the spring of 1921, the Portland Flouring Mills Co. filed a three million dollar mortgage, having holdings in Harrington. When the harvest season rolled in for the fall of 1921, there was not a stirring at the once humming Harrington Milling Co. The structure was later purchased by the Odessa Union Warehouse. The old office of the milling company had its own history. It was directly south of the Hotel Harrington, and was built prior to the Harrington Milling Company. It originally was the office for a lumber yard and used by Walter and Dave Johnson. From 1898 to 1920 notable men such as Abe Smalley, C.D. Ellis, H.C. Turner and A .M.P

Applegate worked in this office, and from it paychecks for employees and checks to the local farmers for wheat were written. In April, 1938, it was razed by the H. Earl Clack Company which intended to build a $7,000 modern service station within the month. Few of today's citizens will recall having flour from the Harrington Milling Company, but quite a number will recall pulling up to the old Clack Service Station and Garage.

Northwest Profile

Thursday, October 24, 7 p.m.

The Harrington Opera House will be highlighted on the KSPS special, Northwest Profile, an opportunity to learn more about the history and preservation of the Harrington Opera House.

Charrette

Saturday, Oct 26, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Everyone is invited to bring their photos and ideas for the Harrington Historic Preservation Commission's all-day event. Identify pieces of Harrington's past or add ideas for the future business district of Harrington.

Santa is Coming

Dec 7, 10 a.m.

One of Santa's elves has scheduled his visit to the Harrington Opera House for December 7, from 10 a.m. until noon, in the lobby.