Browse Items (59 total)
- Collection: The Powder Mills, Paper Mill and Jewell Mill
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Powder Mill Office
Photograph of the Powder Mill Office. (Note the display on the left wall for the Winchester Repeating Arms Company with the shells forming the "W".)
Powder Mill Employees - 1930
1st photo : Robert "Wink" McGarry. The nickname is attributed to the constant blinking of the eyes due to irritation from manufacturing process.
2nd photo: l to r Alvin Stone, Alfred Carey, "Wink" McGarry
3rd photo : l to r Alfred Carey ,…
2nd photo: l to r Alvin Stone, Alfred Carey, "Wink" McGarry
3rd photo : l to r Alfred Carey ,…
Paper Mill Key
The paper mill was in operation from 1820 to the early 1880's located at what is now the corner of Waltham St. and Parker St. The Parker family owned and operated the mill for many years.
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 Bridge
Flood of November - 1927
Top picture is the north side. Bottom picture is the south side.
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.
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…
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…
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.)
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.
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…
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.
File folder for the Paper Mill
File contains histories, incorporation notices, newspaper clippings and miscellaneous information relative to the mill, dam and bridge.
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
Collection of American Powder Mills Stencils
Five stencils used to mark cases and bundles at the American Powder Mills.