American Woolen Company Foxcroft Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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American Woolen Company Foxcroft Mill
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Wooden buildings near the mill but never part of it.
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Dover-Foxcroft, Maine |
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| Area | 2.77 acres (1.12 ha) |
| Built | 1844 |
| NRHP reference No. | 12001068 |
| Added to NRHP | December 19, 2012 |
The American Woolen Company Foxcroft Mill, also known as the Mayo & Son Woolen Mill, is a historic site in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. It includes seven old buildings and three other structures. These buildings are located on East Main Street, right in the middle of downtown Dover-Foxcroft. The entire area covers about 2.77 acres. You can find the Foxcroft Mill on the west side of the Piscataquis River, which flows through the town. The buildings were constructed between 1844 and 1941. This important site has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
The Mill's Long History
The land where the mill stands has been used for industry since 1822. The oldest part you can still see today is a foundation from a mill built in 1844. This first mill was started by James Mayo and his partners. Over the next 100 years, the mill changed owners many times. More buildings were added, and by 1941, all the buildings you see today were part of the complex.
Making Woolen Cloth
For a long time, this mill was one of the biggest employers in the area. It made woolen cloth, which is fabric made from sheep's wool. This cloth was then taken by carts, and later by trucks, to the nearest train station.
Old Buildings and New Ideas
The oldest buildings still standing are made of wood. They were used for storage. One of these was built around 1879 and has a fancy style called Italianate. Another old wooden building was built before 1882.
One of the most interesting buildings is the concrete mill building from 1908. It's very long, with 23 sections. This building is special because it's one of the first times concrete was used to build a main structure in Maine. The very last building to be built was a storage and shipping building in 1941. It was built on the old foundation of Mayo's first mill from 1844, which was taken down to make space for it.
An Unfortunate Accident
In 1946, there was an accident at the mill. An elevator fell about 35 feet. This caused parts of the elevator to crash through the roof. Sadly, two people lost their lives and ten others were hurt.
From Textiles to Furniture
The business of making textiles (fabric) stopped in 1953. After that, a company called Moosehead Manufacturing bought the complex. They made wood products, mostly furniture, in the buildings. This furniture business closed down in 2007. In 2012, the entire complex was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places.
A New Beginning for the Mill
In 2014, the mill complex got a big makeover. It was renamed "The Mill at Dover-Foxcroft." These renovations added new spaces for businesses and homes. This was the biggest private investment in Piscataquis County, Maine in many years. It helped bring new life to the historic mill.
