OAKESDALE - It's the only one of it's kind left on the Palouse, but there's far more to it than being rare. The century-old Oakesdale flour mill is opening for a Fourth of July celebration.

MaryJane Butters owns an organic farm outside of Moscow. She publishes her own magazine, writes books, and is the owner of perhaps the oldest tourist attraction in Oakesdale, Washington.

But it wasn't always a tourist attraction.

Joe Barron Sr. bought the flour mill, located along Highway 27, in 1907. Barron's son, Joe Jr., took over the milling business in 1955. He died at the age of 91, but not before selling it to Butters, a piece of history the self-described "farm girl" promised she wouldn't let go.

"This wasn't just for milling flour, it was a nerve center for an entire community," said Butters. "It was how people fed their animals all winter, because they brought the grains that they grew, and they were cracked and then fed to their animals all winter. It was a hub of activity."

A steam engine from the basement was replaced with an electric motor when the Barron family bought the mill 100 years ago.

Wheat was augered to the top flour, then sent through an intricate web of chutes, through rolling machines, separators, sifters and finally baggers.

"Beautiful, beautiful handmade machinery," said Butters. "Knot-free, just gorgeous. Back when people had time to be artisans."

Butters said it still works. Even if it might not meet today's health and safety standards.

But it's been out of operation for almost 50 years, and virtually untouched since the Barron's locked the doors in the 60s.

It's on the National Register of Historic Places, and with its Palouse brothers and sisters either torn down or run down, Butter said it's an only child that deserves some attention.

"I think this is a museum of life up on the Palouse," said Butters. "It's very important. We've lost all the other grist mills on the Palouse. It's important to preserve this. I also made a commitment to Joe."

This 4th of July will be the first chance to get inside since 2002. Butters sponsors a Farm Fair, and as part of an Independence Day celebration, groups will be able to take buggy rides from Coeur D'Alene down through a number of small towns.

From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the 4th you can walk through the mill free of charge. For safety reasons, no one under the age of twelve is permitted on the tour. Farm Fair runs from July 3rd to the 5th.