It's Where the Best of Eugene Begins

THE HISTORICAL MIMS HOUSE

Last owners, C. B. and Annie D. Mims. The Mims house standing at 336 High Street is a Vernacular Gothic style house. It is said to have been built in 1879, making it the oldest house in Eugene on its original site. The population of Eugene was 1,117. City directories do not help illuminate the early history of the house, yielding no occupant until 1902, when owner H.D. Offutt, a local painter, lived here with his wife. John Dixon, whose family occupied several houses on this side of High Street at various times, lived here around 1910. This House was owned in 1920 by Emma Talbot. Ms. Talbot sold to Joe Earley, who financed it for C.B. and Annie D. Mims. The Mims family trust currently owns the house. It is called the Mims house as the Mims have the most historical significance and longest tenure in it

On exhibit in the back yard is a millstone salvaged from the Eugene Flouring Mill." This mill stone is historically important because it came from the first and largest grain mill in Lane County. During the late 1800s mills were an integral part of towns, as food processing was one of the most important industries of the era. Eugene was a central location for Lane County farmers therefore the Eugene Flouring Mill helped to establish the fledgling city of Eugene as the government seat of Lane County.

The mill was built in 1885, burned down in 1894. Sometime after, the millstone was moved and used as a step to a north-side entry at the 336 High Street house. It is thought that the stone was moved by workers at the mill who resided in the house at that time.