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  • Collection: The Powder Mills, Paper Mill and Jewell Mill

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The mill was located at the corner of Waltham and Parker Streets, on the river side of Parker Street. Built in 1820 by William May, it was sold to John Sawyer and then later to William Parker. In 1831 it became the Fourdrinier Paper Co., Inc. That…

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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.

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Until 1927 was located south of where the Assabet River runs under the "Paper Mill Bridge". Both the dam and the bridge was washed out in the flood of November 1927. The bridge was replaced and is being replaced again in 2012. The large dark…

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Photos of winter views from the Paper Mill Dam.

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Top view from the Paper Mill Bridge.
Bottom view looking South on the Assabet toward the Paper MIll Bridge and the Assabet Mill.

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Top picture is the north side. Bottom picture is the south side.

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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…

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A photo of the Paper Mill Dam & Bridge.

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Photos of a restored American Powder Division truck seen at a show in 2011.

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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 ,…

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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.

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This photo was taken during the dismantling of the wheel mill. Each of the wheels weighed 7 tons. The cross shaft and crown gear weighted 3 tons making a total of 17 tons. The large crown gear had wooden teeth to avoid the friction or sparking of…

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The corning mill is where the final product was ground into a suitable size for use as gun powder.

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Stereograph showing the Paper Mill near the junction of Summer and Parker Streets. The mill was destroyed by fire in 1894. The chimney was taken down in 1914.

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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…

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This picture was used for advertising "Dead Shot Powder", manufactured at the American Powder Mills. The print hung for many years in the office of the American Powder Mills.

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The second photo has a note pointing out the Music Hall (or the Rink) on Main Street. The woolen mill smoke stack is seen upstream of the Assabet River.

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A paper label used to identify rifle cartridge shell powder kegs.

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Old type key formerly used at the American Powder Mill.

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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.