Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Belding Corticelli Thread Co. 1918-c.1980
• Powhatan Mill 1872-1918

Use (Historic)

• Textiles

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

see 2015 nomination George M. Morse built Powhatan Mill in 1872. It stands at the upper water privilege on the Quinebaug River in Putnam, about 1,000' upstream from the Morse family's 1846 cotton mill (at 241 Church Street). Hosea Ballou first developed this upper privilege in 1847, erecting a mill (since destroyed) on the west bank, opposite Powhatan. Morse ran 20,000 spindles for cotton manufacture here in 1884. The current occupant, Belding-Corticelli Thread Co., bought Powhatan in 1918. (Roth)

Number of Existing Buildings

Roughly two (2) primary blocks with modern additions.

Dates of Construction

1872

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Mill
• Powerhouse

Architectural Description

see National Register nomination 2015 The brick, 4-story, 175' x 62' Powhatan Mill has segmental-arch windows with brick sills and mansard roof with round-headed dormers. Freight doors open to each level in the central stair tower, which is now missing its roof. The 115'-long, 10'-high dam retains much masonry from its original construction, including an arched opening on the west side that was used to drain the pond. Its east abutment was altered in 1872; it takes a right-angle bend to become, in effect, one wall of the Powhatan flume. The dam provided Powhatan with 15 1/2' head and 200 horsepower, which was augmented by a steam plant in the 2-story ell-shaped brick power house behind the mill (original equipment gone). East of the mill along Powhatan and Mohegan Sts. stand 20 double-entry, frame workers' dwellings, also built in 1872. (Roth)

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick

Structural System(s)

n/a

Roof Form

• Mansard

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

n/a

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

One 1.85 acre parcel on the north side of Providence Street opposite Mohegan Street.

Adjacent To

n/a

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 7/331/000 / Link →

Acreage

1.85

Use (Present)

• Other: 11/2022 DECD $2m grant to remediate; Camden Management Partners Inc (same developer as for North Grosvenordale Mill) to redev mixed use and 120 units residential
• Vacant

Form Completed By

n/a

Date

n/a

Bibliography

1. Roth, Matthew, et al, Connecticut: An Inventory of Historic Engineering and Industrial Sites (Washington DC: SIA, 1981).