Contributed by an individual through Biddeford Historical Society
Description
The huge complex of mills or factories along the edge of the Saco River in Biddeford & Saco consist of the Laconia textile factory lower left. Pepperell textile mills upper left adjoining the Saco-Lowell Shops, manufacturers of textile machinery.
The York textile mills are seen on the lower right side on Factory Island. The dams were constructed in 1829, by the Saco Water Power Co.. They also built most of the textile mills. They constructed the mills underground waterways, and canals to divert river water for powering the great waterwheels in turning the mills machinery such as weaving loams & spinning frames.
The Pepperell mills was named in honor of Sir William Pepperell and first begun in 1844. The Laconia Mill's first built a mill in 1841, named by Sam Batchelder (after an ancient title in N.H., his place of birth) The York Mill on factory island was the first mill built in 1831 named after York England, and the Saco Lowell name is from the Lowell shops of Lowell Mass. where the first textile factories were built.
The photo was taken from the Laconia division of the Pepperell Mfg. Co. 251 foot chimney in 1915.
About This Item
- Title: Laconia & Pepperell Mills, Saco, ca. 1915
- Creator: Louis A. Daignault
- Creation Date: 1915-10-02
- Subject Date: 1915-10-02
- Location: Saco, York County, ME
- Media: Photographic print
- Dimensions: 1.3 cm x 1.8 cm
- Local Code: #608
- Collection: George Guerin
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Textile industry--Maine--Biddeford
- Mills--Maine--Saco
- Buildings--Maine--Saco
- Cityscapes--Maine--Saco
- Pepperell Manufacturing Company
- Laconia Company
- York Mills (Saco, Me.)
- Textile industry--Maine--Saco
- Saco-Lowell Foundry
- Foundries--Maine--Biddeford
- Textile machinery--Maine--Biddeford
People
For more information about this item, contact:
Biddeford Historical SocietyP.O. Box 200, Biddeford, ME 04005
(207) 502-0279
Website
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