The Clinton Mills, established in 1854 by Joseph Bassett, A. Welch and F. E. Weston, was the very first grain mill in the Oakland area. Located at East 11th Street and 12th Avenue, Oakland, by 1857 the company was the leader in the local grain industry. By the late 1870's production at the plant had expanded to 100,000 barrels annually. Bassett later left the company, with business operations continuing under the partnership of Welch and Weston.
