Pejepscot Paper Company facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pejepscot Paper Company
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Location | 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Topsham, Maine |
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Built | 1868 |
Architectural style | Italianate |
NRHP reference No. | 74000192 |
Added to NRHP | September 17, 1974 |
The Pejepscot Paper Company building is a really old and important mill located in Topsham, Maine. It sits right by the Androscoggin River, across from Brunswick. This building was first built way back in 1868. It's one of the oldest paper mills still standing in Maine! Because it's so historic, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. After a fire, the building was fixed up. Today, it's a busy place with different businesses. One of them is the Sea Dog Brewing Company.
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About the Pejepscot Mill
The Pejepscot Paper Company Mill is a large building. It has three stories and is made of brick. The roof is shaped like a gambrel, which means it has two different slopes on each side. The building sits on a strong granite foundation.
What the Building Looks Like
The side of the mill facing the river is quite wide. It has eight sections, called bays. Each bay has windows set into arched openings. These windows have decorative arches above them. In the middle of the building, there's a tall, square tower. This tower has five stories and a pyramid-shaped roof.
A Look Back at Its History
The mill was built in 1868. It was first known as the Topsham Paper Mill. The first owners had some tough times. Their location wasn't the best for business. They also had legal problems with patents. Because of these issues, their paper business didn't succeed.
New Owners and Growth
The property was sold in 1874. New owners took over and renamed it the Bowdoin Paper Manufacturing Company. This new company grew very quickly. They even owned as many as ten mills! However, they expanded too fast. In 1887, their large paper empire collapsed.
Restoration and New Life
In 1998, the mill was listed as one of America's most endangered historic places. Luckily, it was later saved and restored. Today, the old mill is full of life again. It's home to the Sea Dog Brewing Company. Many other small businesses also operate there.