Dinsmore Grain Company Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Dinsmore Grain Company Mill
|
|
Foundation and dam of the mill
|
|
 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Branch Mill Rd., just over the line from Palermo in China, Maine |
|---|---|
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1914 |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000147 |
| Added to NRHP | November 3, 1979 |
The Dinsmore Grain Company Mill was a special old building in China, Maine. It was built in 1914. This mill used water power to grind grain and cut wood. It was a very important part of the community for many years. Sadly, the mill building was taken down in 2017.
What Was the Dinsmore Mill Like?
The Dinsmore Mill was located near Palermo, Maine. It sat right over the West Branch Sheepscot River. A dam under the mill held back water from Branch Pond. This water helped power the mill.
The building was two and a half stories tall. It was made of wood and had a pointed roof. A taller, three-story section stood in the middle. This part faced the road.
Inside, the ground floor held the main machines. These included a water-powered turbine. This turbine spun the grinding and cutting equipment. A conveyor belt moved things to the upper floor. This top floor was used to store grain.
A Long History of Mills
People have used this spot for mills for a very long time. The first mill here started in 1817. It was owned by Joseph Hacker. Over the years, the mill was passed down through families.
In 1879, Thomas Dinsmore became a partner. His son, James R.B. Dinsmore, later took over. The original mill building burned down in 1908. James R.B. Dinsmore then built the mill we are talking about in 1914.
At first, it was only a grist mill. A grist mill grinds grain into flour. In 1935, James Kenneth Dinsmore added a sawmill. A sawmill cuts logs into lumber. The Dinsmore Mill kept working until 1960.
Why Was the Mill Taken Down?
In the 2010s, the Dinsmore Mill started to have problems. The building was getting old and worn out. The dam underneath it also needed repairs. The dam was important for keeping water levels high in Branch Pond.
The owners found it hard to fix the dam. They said the old building was too unstable. It would be dangerous to work on the dam with the mill still standing.
In 2017, a group called the Atlantic Salmon Federation bought the property. They decided to take down the mill. They also changed the dam. This was done to help fish like salmon swim freely up the river. This project helps fish reach their spawning grounds.
