Bellows Falls Co-operative Creamery Complex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bellows Falls Co-operative Creamery Complex
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bridge St., Rockingham, Vermont |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1918 |
| Built by | Robie Construction Co. |
| MPS | Bellows Falls Island MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002164 |
| Added to NRHP | January 22, 1990 |
The Bellows Falls Co-operative Creamery Complex is a historic industrial site located in Bellows Falls, Vermont. It was built over about 40 years, starting around 1906. This complex, with two buildings still standing, was one of Vermont's biggest businesses during that time. The property is on the eastern side of Bellows Falls Island. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 because of its historical importance.
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What is the Bellows Falls Creamery Complex?
The former Bellows Falls Creamery is found on the eastern part of an island. This island is created by the Connecticut River and the Bellows Falls Canal. The creamery is just south of the train tracks on the northern part of the island. It is also north of the Adams Gristmill Warehouse.
Exploring the Buildings
The complex has one large main building made of several connected parts. At its tallest, this building is three stories high. There is also a separate heating plant next to it.
The main building has openings that face the train yard to the north. A driveway from Bridge Street to the south leads to the complex. This driveway is at a higher level. The main parts of the building are three stories tall. They are built from concrete with brick and other materials on the outside. Extra sections make the building look like a "U" shape, with the open part facing south.
Right next to the southeastern part of the "U" shape is the heating plant. This plant is two stories tall and made of brick.
How the Creamery Started and Grew
The first creamery in Bellows Falls was built around 1906 by the Boston Dairy Company. It was a two-story wooden building. The main building we see today was built around 1918 by the Liberty Paper Company.
In 1921, the Bellows Falls Co-operative Creamery bought both buildings. This business processed milk from more than 200 local farmers. They shipped their milk products by train to markets in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1932, the plant got bigger. The original 1906 building was replaced with a larger, more modern structure. This new part is now part of the main building. The company continued to do well and expanded its plant over the next few decades.
The End of an Era
However, in 1964, the creamery lost an important contract with Finast, a big grocery store chain. Because of this, the Bellows Falls Co-operative Creamery stopped operating in 1965.
After it closed, the buildings were used for storage. They were empty for many years and became damaged over time. Some parts were lost due to challenges and events like fires. Even with these changes, the buildings are an important reminder of Vermont's economy in the early 1900s. They show how important dairy farming was to the state.
