Cheshire Mills - Harrisville, NH - Water Mills on Waymarking.com

The Cheshire Mill is a beautiful mill complex, in the center of Harrisville, New Hampshire. Mill #1 is a stone-walled structure, with a belfry, making it distinctive compared to the other brick-walled mill buildings.

The town that it's in, Harrisville, is a small New Hampshire village of about 1,000 people. Much of the buildings in the center are listed as part of a National Historic District for being one of the most complete and intact industrial villages in the United States of its era.

The book source, "Factory Under the Elms", purchased at the Harris Designs company store in another mill building in town, said that water turbines were installed in the buildings, which would not be visible from the outside. I am not sure whether any remain inside. There is a walking tour map that you can purchase for a dollar in the same store.

The mill was built around 1850 by partners Cyrus Harris, Asa Greenwood, and Henry Mellville. Asa Greenwood was a stone mason and likely built the granite stone structure. Unfortunately, Cyrus Harris and Henry Mellville both died before the mill was completed. The ownership was eventually transfered to Faulkner and Colony of Keene, NH, who were woolen manufacturers. The mills here manufactured several kinds of flannels, cheviots, dress goods, and "plaid backs" that is used in coats. The mill closed in 1970. There were people walking in and out of the stone mill when I was visiting. However, there were no signs saying "Open" or "Come Right In" so I didn't attempt to enter. The building is owned by Historic Harrisville, Inc. Other sites on the internet indicate that at least a portion of the complex is or will be used for commercial or residential use.

The trip is well worth the diversion from the beaten path!

Historic Harrisville Web Site:
(visit link)

Current Status: Still In Use Current Use: Office or Residential Loft Space

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Date Logged Log User Rating   09/30/2013 Zambesiboy visited it