Browse Items (70 total)

This was the property of Charles J. O'Neil, and is inscribed with his name.

Mr. Charles J. O'Neil was one of five men killed in an explosion at the old Powder Mills in Acton; May 2, 1895.

A copy of the Maynard Enterprise-Thursday May…

Label used to mark gunpowder kegs.

Men employed at American Powder Mill, early 1900s

Photograph of the Powder Mill (American Powder Mill) showing some of the mill buildings and a horse and buggy delivery.

Photograph of the (American) Powder Mills taken in the late 1800s or early 1900s.

4 scenes of the Power House at Powder Mill, late 1800s to early 1900s. Show's electric generator/dynamo, boilers, powerhouse exterior, and a possibly a steam-driven engine of some sort.

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".)

Photograph of the American Powder Mill Office showing a fireplace and safe.

Photograph of a man and horse taken at the American Powder Company mills. (Note shadow of photographer and view camera at bottom of frame.)

Photograph of a manned horse and buggy taken at the American Powder Mill. (Note shadow of view camera and photographer at bottom.)

Portrait of William Hooper, one of the top employees at the American Powder Mill.

Photograph of the Powder Mill Dam

These guns were used to test the powder in various types of shells.

Photographs of the remains of the Powder Mills taken in November 2010. Third photo shows Paul Boothroyd (l) and Bruce McGarry (r) at the site.

Photograph of the "Glaze Mill" at the American Powder Company

Photograph of the "Corning Mill" at the American Powder Company.

Photograph of the exterior and interior workings of a "Glaze Mill" at the American Powder Company. The glaze mill is where the final gun powder was coated to prevent degradation by water absorption.

Photograph showing the exterior of a mill building at the American Powder Company. The pulley on the outside of the building was connected by a rope to motor located in a distant building. This kept any sparks created by the motor away from the…

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…

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.