Abandoned mills

[Wicked Dark]

So for something to do, husband and I decided to drive into Mass to see some semi-historic mills on the Quinapoxet river. The land they're on is part of a walk the rails program and converts old rail lines to walking trails. The mills were bought and dismantled after the creation of the Wachusett Reservoir in order to preserve the quality of the drinking water. Even though these places are notoriously hard to photograph and my back was a misery, limiting what I could and couldn't do, I came away with some that I like -

This one I couldn't put a name to. It doesn't appear anywhere obvious in any online docs I could find. It was probably a grist mill, but possibly could have been a saw mill.



This is the main dam forming the millpond at the Springdale Mill site. It was a woolen mill and operated from 1864 to 1905. In 2006 it was repaired since it was falling to pieces. It's just a mile or two from the dam above. There were about 7 on this river in the general area.





This trench is called a flume and was where the water from the millpond was channeled and thus created the force needed to drive the turbine. It runs about 100 yards directly from the dam to the turbine house. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to find a way down in. The sides were crumbly, overgrown and steep. Plus I could really do a number on my back, but I found a way and didn't wreck myself. I'm pleased with the perspective from down there -



A brick I literally tossed onto this stump because it was in the path. Then I looked at it and thought it was kind of neat.



Anyway, I love places like this and certainly these are the largest mills I've ever found in the woods like this.

[JAS_Photo]

Very nice series Wicked D. Fascinating to find bits of history like this tucked into the countryside.

[Bambi]

very interesting place indeed!

[Wicked Dark]

Thanks ladies. Not the most photographically compelling place, but I had a good time.

[kat]

Very interesting set! History shot well!

[Wicked Dark]

Thanks kat. I love finding history's remnants.

[Marko]

I always dig the way you add text to help explain the journey. Another interesting set WD!

[Wicked Dark]

I'm glad you do. I always feel like I'm rambling and that no one reads it, but sometimes weird photos need explanation. Plus stuff like this fascinates me.