Did You Know?
Did you know that in 1823, the Phoenix Manufacturing Company operated two mills — the Red Mill and the Stone Mill — in what today is the Phoenixville section of Eastford?
The Stone Mill was the larger of the two mills. It operated on the east bank of the Still River where a dam provided power to the mill. It began as a cotton mill, but in the 1860s under the ownership of Simeon Wheaton, it was adapted for twine production. Boots and shoes were manufactured on the third floor. During World War I the machinery from all three floors was sold and the second floor was used as a dance hall. The property passed to Wheaton’s daughter, Edith Wheaton Smith, and in 1933, her husband, John, built a concrete dam on the site of the old timber dam to provide power to their home.
We are pleased to announce that an amazing reproduction of the Old Stone Mill complete with lights and sound has been commissioned by Tom Latham and will be on display at the Historical Society’s Museum at 65 John Perry Rd. The Museum is open the months of May through October on the second and fourth Sunday from 2-4 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!