Eli Morse Sawmill Foundations facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Eli Morse Sawmill Foundations
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View of mill foundations, 1981
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off Old Marlborough Rd., Dublin, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 0.2 acres (0.081 ha) |
| Built | 1765 |
| Built by | Morse, Eli |
| MPS | Dublin MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83004056 |
| Added to NRHP | December 18, 1983 |
The Eli Morse Sawmill Foundations are the old stone remains of the very first factory in Dublin, New Hampshire. This historic spot is found deep in a forest, next to a small stream. It's also near an old road that was once used for logging.
These foundations are all that's left of a sawmill built long ago. A sawmill is a place where logs are cut into lumber using a large saw. This mill was very important for the early settlers of Dublin.
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What Are the Eli Morse Sawmill Foundations?
The Eli Morse Sawmill Foundations are made of large granite rocks. These rocks were carefully stacked without any mortar, a method called "dry laid." There are four main walls that once supported the sawmill building.
A Look at the Old Sawmill
The northern wall of the main building is about 10 feet (3.0 m) long. The other three walls are each about 23 feet (7.0 m) long. Next to these main foundations, you can also see smaller stone bases. These might have been for extra parts of the mill or for other small buildings nearby.
The sawmill was built right over a stream. This was important because the stream's water power would have been used to run the large saw.
The Story of Eli Morse and His Mill
The sawmill was built around 1765 by a man named Eli Morse. He was one of the very first people to settle in Dublin, New Hampshire. The town leaders wanted to encourage new businesses. In 1764, they offered Eli Morse money to build this sawmill.
An Important Person in Dublin
Eli Morse was a very important person in the early days of Dublin. Besides the sawmill, he also built the town's first grist mill a few years later. A grist mill is a place where grains like corn or wheat are ground into flour. These mills were vital for the survival of early communities.
A Family Business and a Sad Event
Eli Morse ran the sawmill himself for many years. Later, his son, Peter Morse, took over the business. Sadly, Peter died in an accident at the sawmill site. The mill continued to operate for a long time after that. However, it is known that the Eli Morse Sawmill stopped working by the year 1886.
Why Are These Foundations Important?
Even though only the stone foundations remain, this site is very important for understanding the history of Dublin. It shows where the town's first industry began. It also tells us about the hard work and challenges faced by early settlers.
Because of its historical value, the Eli Morse Sawmill Foundations were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means the site is recognized as a special part of American history and is protected.
