Mill Record Putnam
RETURN TO ‘FIND MILLS’Disclaimer: Content for these properties was compiled in 2014-2017 from a variety of sources and is subject to change. Updates are occasionally made under Property Information, however the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation (dba Preservation Connecticut) makes no representation or warranty that the information is complete or up-to-date.
- Complex Name (Common)
- Morse Mill (cotton)
- Complex Name (Historic)
-
- Morse Mill (cotton)
- Address or Location
- 241 Church Street, Putnam
- County
- Windham
- Historic Designation
- Associated Mill Community
- Historic Information
Companies Associated w/Complex
- Morse Mill (cotton) c.1907
Use (Historic)
Largest Documented Workforce
125 (1870)
Historic Narrative
M. S. Morse and Co. began construction of this mill on the west bank of the Quinebaug River in 1846. Stonemason Lafayette Waters built this mill and the very similar Nightingale and Allen mill across the river, also begun in 1846. Morse and the Nightingale firm combined in 1861 to build the dam, and shared equally the 360 horsepower the dam afforded. After the dam was built Morse withdrew from major involvement with the east-bank mills, but Nightingale retained shares in the Morse operation. In 1870 Morse employed 52 men, 44 women and 29 children to run 9,046 spindles and 200 looms in manufacture of cotton sheetings. By 1889 George M. Morse headed a new firm that controlled the mills on both sides of the river. Frame mill houses stand west of the Morse Mill along Church and Morse Sts. The mill has been converted to a cold storage warehouse. (Roth)
- Architectural Information
Number of Existing Buildings
Two (2) primary blocks with additions.
Dates of Construction
1846
Architect
n/a
Builder
n/a
Building Type
n/a
Architectural Description
The 4 1/2-story, 165' x 50' mill has a gable roof and central stair tower. Granite was used for lintels, sills and quoins; large granite slabs frame the freight openings in the tower. A 2-story, 50' x 44' wing is attached to the north end; its brick third story was added later. (Roth)
Exterior Material(s)
Structural System(s)
n/a
Roof Form
Roof Material
n/a
Power Source
Condition
n/a
Condition Notes
n/a
- Property Information
-
Specific Location
One 0.91 acre parcel at the intersection with Morse Street along west bank of Quinnebaug River (opposite Nightingale Mill)
Adjacent To
Exterior Visible from Public Road?
Yes
Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link
- 11/62/000 / Link →
Acreage
0.91
Use (Present)
- Sources
-
Form Completed By
n/a
Date
n/a
Bibliography
- Roth, Matthew, et al, Connecticut: An Inventory of Historic Engineering and Industrial Sites (Washington DC: SIA, 1981).
- Representative View(s)Click on image to view full file
-
Photographer
n/a
Photography Date
n/a
