Mulling the future of the mill
Jay Mark
Special for The Republic
Feb. 21, 2008 07:08 AM
Until the last batch of flour was shipped out on April 1, 1998, the Hayden Flour Mill had the distinction of being Arizona's oldest continual industrial operation.
For virtually its entire life the mill has been Tempe's most recognized man-made feature.
Since the emptying of the silos and shutdown of the mill because of the inefficiency of its antiquated machinery, it has stood unoccupied.
In the interim, the neglected, fire-ravaged property has been quietly and some might say patiently awaiting its fate.
After a series of recent false starts, plans are under way for the mill's transformation from a forsaken industrial plant into an urban mixed-use venture that promises to assure a healthy future for one of Tempe's most venerable veterans.
Hayden began milling on the site in 1874. Fire destroyed the original adobe and wood structure in 1917.
In an effort to replace the original mill with something more substantial, Hayden enlisted the services of the J.C. Steele Co. to erect a virtually fireproof building. The "cast-in-place concrete post, beam and integral slab construction" was the most up-to-date industrial building technique available.
The size and scale proved so challenging that it remained the biggest project Steele ever built.
A testament to the quality of design, materials and construction is that the mill has survived 90 years of activity, abandonment and fire without so much as a crack in its massive concrete walls.
There is a bit of irony in the fact that although the pioneering 1918 concrete mill is still recognized for its early innovations, it is the silos that people most identify with. And yet they came more than third of century later.
As technology helped agricultural yields increase, the demand for more grain storage space grew. And with post-World War II growth the need for additional capacity became an imperative.
Even though Mesa had a couple of flour mills of its own and even some small silos that dated to the 1920s, Hayden's mill was undoubtedly the largest in the Valley and the most logical site on which to construct the East Valley's tallest structures.
By 1950, plans were under way to build seven pairs of 117-foot silos with a 150-foot grain elevator tower on the south end. Collectively the silos would store an impressive 18 million pounds of grain.
The Mayer-Osborn Co. of Denver was contracted to build the enormous structures.
Following the earlier precedent, the contractor used the most modern method of slip-form concrete construction. In March 1951 they began a remarkable around-the-clock pour.
Eleven days later Tempe had a new skyline.
For the next 36 years the silos towered over all - that is until the 16-story Western Savings Financial Plaza at Alma School and Southern in Mesa opened in 1987.
The silos remained Tempe's tallest until their 2007 eclipse by the nearby 22-story Centerpoint Condominiums.
There has been much community discussion about the future of the silos - and about what can be done with 14 narrow 117-foot tubes.
Although the silos are not included in the first phase of redevelopment plans, suggestions for their reuse include inserting 10 floors that could be condominiums, boutique hotel or offices.
A grain distribution structure atop the silos is likely to be transformed into a bar and restaurant with heart-stopping views.
Although the use may still be undecided, city officials and the developer have each assured that the silos will forever remain Tempe's most identifiable icon.
Jay Mark assists the Tempe Historical Museum with exhibit gallery design and planning for new facilities. Reach him at [email protected].
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