From the mid-1840's through the 1950's fields of blue flowering Flax flourished in Oregons Willamette Valley. This was for the only Flax industry in the United States. The Flax plants growing in the fields throughout the Willamette Valley were transformed into lustrous linen, yarn and fabrics. The seeds from the Flax plants were processed into oil products. Oregons Flax industry peaked during WWII - with 18,000 acres of Flax and 14 processing plants - when it was designated an "Essential War Product" by the Federal Government. The growing and processing of Flax was subsidized by the Federal Government. The Government subsidies were discontinued at the end of WWII.
Video of Flax in Oregon: https://YouTube/JSBpEC7Yu-s
Looking North is the site of the former Mt. Angel Flax plant. In 1935 Benedictine Father Alcuin Heibel of Mt. Angel Abbey was instrumental in persuading businessmen from the East to invest in the towns fledgling Flax industry. The Flax plant began operation in August of 1936 and closed in 1952. The Mt. Angel plant was one of (3) plants built by Works Progress Administration (WPA). The other plants were located in Springfield and Canby. Mt. Angel Flax Plant was a farmer co-op with a one-time $50.00 lifetime membership fee per farmer. The Flax Industry as a whole was very labor intensive beginning with harvesting right through the processing stages at the plant. At the end of WWII the Federal Government stopped subsidizing the Flax industry. This along with the advent of synthetic fabrics brought the Mt. Angel Flax Plant to closure. Additional pictures of the Mt. Angel Flax Plant and industry can be found on the Mt. Angel Historical Society web site: https://mtangelhistoricalsociety.org
Mt. Angel, in support of the Flax industry, held a yearly Flax Festival. In early August starting in 1936 the town and visitors had a (3) day festival which included the Flax Parade, sporting events and a carnival. A queen and king, along with their court, were nominated each year and they rode lead in the Flax Festival Parade. The Mt. Angel Flax Festival came to an end in the early 1950's.
The long barn like storage building (in need of some maintenance) and the concrete pads you see are all that is visible remaining from the original Flax Plant. The old building was one of the Flax storage buildings. The Cache has room for swag and travel bugs/travel coins. Please DO NOT go past the gate or concrete barriers as this is all private property. Good Luck and hope you have enjoyed a little local Mt. Angel history.
CONGRATULATIONS to "ADmuk" on FTF!