The community was named after a flour mill erected there in 1851, when the community was known as "Howards Mill."[5] "Mulino" is a corruption of the Spanish word molino, or mill, and was chosen for the name when postal authorities objected that "Molino" was easily confused with nearby Molalla.[5] The Mulino post office was established in 1882.[5]
As of 2007, the mill building, remodeled into a private residence, still stands. According to a plaque given by the National Register of Historic Places, it is the oldest industrial building to remain standing in Oregon and the oldest building to serve continuously as the local post office. The mill, listed as Howard's Gristmill, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.[6]
Local government
In May 2007, Mulino residents voted to become a hamlet, the third such community in Oregon, and the community was granted official hamlet status by the county on June 7, 2007.[7]
