Wild's Mill Complex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wild's Mill Complex
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | U.S. 9 and NY 203, Valatie, New York |
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| Area | 5.5 acres (2.2 ha) |
| Built | 1828 |
| Architectural style | Federal, Industrial |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003353 |
| Added to NRHP | June 14, 1982 |
The Wild's Mill Complex, also called the Valatie Mill Complex, was once an important industrial building. It was located in Valatie, New York, a village in Columbia County, New York. Valatie used to be a busy place for mills. The complex was a five-story brick building. It stood on a 5.5 acres (2.2 ha) piece of land. This land also held the remains of an even older mill. The complex was next to the Kinderhook Creek.
Contents
What Was Wild's Mill Complex?
The Wild's Mill Complex was a group of buildings. They were used for making things, mostly textiles. The first brick mill was built in 1828. Later, more parts were added. These mills helped Valatie become an important industrial village.
Early Days of the Mills
The first part of the building was finished in 1846. It was about 144 feet (44 m) long and 56 feet (17 m) wide. We don't know who built this section. A large new part was added around 1890.
Nathan Wild owned these mills. He came from England in the early 1800s. He later moved to Columbia County. Nathan Wild is known as one of the people who helped start the village of Valatie.
How the Mills Grew
Nathan Wild built the first brick mill in 1828. After a southern building was added, the mills became very large. They were used to make cotton products. Together, they had 12,800 spindles. About 175 people worked there.
Changes Over Time
Nathan Wild passed away in 1867. His sons then took over the mills. The southern mill was bought by William Harder in 1890. He was the one who built the large addition.
What Happened to the Mills?
The northern mill changed into a paper mill in the 1890s. Sadly, it burned down in the 1950s. The southern mill kept making cotton products until 1956.
There was also a two-story building between the two mills. It was built in the Federal style. Old maps show it was the mill office. Today, it is a home. This old office building is special because not many like it are still standing from the early 1800s.
The Wild's Mill Complex was one of the first textile mill complexes in Columbia County. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 14, 1982. This means it was recognized as an important historical site. However, around 1986, the last of Wild's mills was torn down. Nathan Wild's home, called the Nathan Wild House, is still standing. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places.
