Browse Items (70 total)
- Collection: The Powder Mills, Paper Mill and Jewell Mill
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Collapse of Paper Mill Bridge
Flood of November - 1927
A photo of the bridge, which was composed of field stone and granite, but the heavy rains caused a flood to undermine the structure. A concrete bridge was built at that time and it lasted until 2012 when it was replaced.
The second photo shows the…
The second photo shows the…
Collection of American Powder Mills Stencils
Five stencils used to mark cases and bundles at the American Powder Mills.
Dead Shot Powder Advertising Sign
An advertising sign for the Powder Mills "Dead Shot Powder" product. This powder was manufactured by the American Powder Company at it's mills in Acton and Maynard.
Employees of the Powder Mill - 1910
American Powder Mills
l to r
Standing: William McGarry, Jack Carey
Seated: Lee Donahue
Standing: William McGarry, Jack Carey
Seated: Lee Donahue
File folder for the Paper Mill
File contains histories, incorporation notices, newspaper clippings and miscellaneous information relative to the mill, dam and bridge.
File folder for the Powder Mills
American Powder Mills
Pratt's Powder Mills
The Acton Powder Mills
The American Powder Company
The American Cyanamid and Chemical Company
The file contains various histories and papers related to the origin and operation of the Mills. It also contains newspaper clippings of the explosions that occurred over the years.
Flood of November 1927
Middlesex Laundry and the Powder Mills
First three photos are of the Powder Mills building surrounded by water from the flooded Assabet River.
The fourth photo is the Assabet River at the rear of the Middlesex Laundry near the Paper Mill (Waltham Street) Bridge. The last photo is the…
The fourth photo is the Assabet River at the rear of the Middlesex Laundry near the Paper Mill (Waltham Street) Bridge. The last photo is the…
Haying at the Powder Mills - ca 1900
American Powder Mills
The Powder Mills owned over 400 acres with the various mills separated on the property for safety reasons.
Horse and Buggy at American Powder Mill - ca 1900
Photograph of a manned horse and buggy taken at the American Powder Mill. (Note shadow of view camera and photographer at bottom.)
Jewell's Mill - ca 1921
The photo shows the mill and the Mill Street bridge that spans the Assabet River. This was a combined grist, saw and cider mill run by Asa Smith. It was also known as Jewell's Mill and became the place to hear the news or local gossip. Spindles and…
New York Times Article: Explosion at Powder Mill
BOSTON, March 12. The American Powder Mills, at South Acton, Mass., exploded at 9:05 o'clock this a morning, causing much consternation and alarm. Two mills are wrecked, together with considerable machinery. The loss of life is confined to two hired…
New York Times Article: Five Dead in Powder Mill Ruins
ACTON, Mass., May 3. -- Three of the buildings belonging to the plant of the American Powder Company, near the boundary line of Acton and Concord, were blown up shortly after 9 o'clock this forenoon. Five of the employes were killed.
Paper Mill Bridge
Flood of November - 1927
Top picture is the north side. Bottom picture is the south side.
Paper Mill Dam
A picture of the paper mill dam shows the dam located south of where the Assabet River runs under the Paper mill Bridge, Both the dam and the bridge were washed out in November 1927. The bridge was replaced.
Paper Mill Dam - ca 1900
Remains of this dam can still be seen from the Paper Mill (Waltham Street) Bridge. The picture was taken in the winter with Assabet River in flood.
Paper Mill Dam Stereograph
A stereograph of the Paper Mill Dam. The photograph is facing upstream of the Assabet River (west), with Assabet Mills in the distance.
This dam was used to harness water power to run the mill. Water that was used in the creation of paper was…
This dam was used to harness water power to run the mill. Water that was used in the creation of paper was…