Barker Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Barker Mill
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Barker Mill
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 143 Mill St., Auburn, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1873 |
| Architect | Charles F. Douglas |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000123 |
| Added to NRHP | May 8, 1979 |
The Barker Mill is a very old and important building in Auburn, Maine. It was built in 1873. This large, five-story brick building used to be a factory. It is special because it has a unique mansard roof. This roof style is not common for mills in Maine.
The mill also has more fancy decorations than other factory buildings from its time. It was the first big factory on the Auburn side of the Androscoggin River. In 1979, the Barker Mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as a historically important site. Today, it is no longer a factory. Instead, it has been turned into homes. The building was designed in the Second Empire style.
Contents
What Does Barker Mill Look Like?
The Barker Mill stands on the south bank of the Little Androscoggin River. This is a smaller river that flows into the Androscoggin River. The building has five stories and is made of brick. It is very wide, with 33 sections of windows.
Special Roof and Tower
A special feature is its mansard roof. This roof has a unique shape with two slopes on each side. The lower slope is very steep. The roof also has decorative brackets and small dormer windows. These windows stick out from the roof.
There is also a tall tower that sticks out from the front of the building. This tower is five stories high. It used to have a mansard roof on its sixth floor, which has been rebuilt. This part also has dormer windows. The windows on the building are set back slightly. They are separated by brick columns and horizontal bands.
The Mill's History
The Barker Mill was built to use the power of the river. In 1870, a company called the Little Androscoggin Water Power Company was formed. Their goal was to use the water power from the Little Androscoggin River. They bought a lot of land along the river.
Building the Mill
In 1872, a dam was built on the river. This dam is just a short distance upstream from the mill. The mill building itself was finished in 1873. It was designed by Charles F. Douglas, an architect from Maine. The mill was named after C. I. Barker. He was the main person in charge of the company.
What the Mill Produced
For many years, the Barker Mill was a busy factory. It made different kinds of woven fabrics. These included shirting and sheeting, which are types of cloth.
From Factory to Homes
In 1979, the building changed its purpose. It was turned into affordable homes for older people. This means the historic mill now serves as a retirement community.
