Practically all the information in this article about the older industries of North Blandford was provided by Winfield D. Healy several years before his passing. He was born in North Blandford in February 1854-moved to Connecticut in 1933 and died in March 1952.
1. Orrin Sennett owned and operated a mill about one-half mile below the Village (on the present Blair Road). This was Blandford's first mill for sawing lumber and it was the old up-and-down type mill.
2. A paper mill was owned and operated by Orlando and Charles Gibbs; the supervisor of this mill was John Fish (grand-
father of the late Frank Gibbs of Chester Road). This mill was located on the brook (on the present Blair Road) at the foot of the cemetery hill.
1. Orrin Sennett owned and operated a mill about one-half mile below the Village (on the present Blair Road). This was Blandford's first mill for sawing lumber and it was the old up-and-down type mill.
2. A paper mill was owned and operated by Orlando and Charles Gibbs; the supervisor of this mill was John Fish (grand-
father of the late Frank Gibbs of Chester Road). This mill was located on the brook (on the present Blair Road) at the foot of the cemetery hill.
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3. Dennison Healy's bowl factory was located close to the paper mill at the foot of the cemetery hill. Here bowls of all sizes were turned out from solid blocks of wood. It was also here that the nest-type of bowls came into being - each one smaller than the previous in order to use up the block of wood. As today, the finished specimens were sold singly, or in nests.
4. Across from the bowl machine mill, Mr. Healy erected a saw-mill and installed the first circular saw to be used in the town. In this same building, he installed a turning lathe for making clock pulleys and file handles. In a room upstairs, these were counted, sorted, barreled for shipment to various destinations. After the second bowl machine was in use, business reached such proportions that one saw mill could no longer supply unfinished lumber. 5. Mr. Healy then installed a 5 circular saw in Alfred Peckham's old type mill in Number Three (in area of Gibbs Brothers farm) and hired him to furnish lumber for this factory. |
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6. On the corner (known as the Church corner) stood Squire Lyman Gibbs' country store. He carried a full line of goods - a paper of pins to a barrel of rice. Many stories were exchanged here, and passers-by were sent on their way happier for their visit.
7. Across the road from this store, on the northeast side of the corner, stood the old Meacham block. The ground floor of this building housed a flourishing tailor shop. Men's apparel was cut in Boston and sent here for finishing. Four seamstresses were employed here, and some village housewives also helped to keep the work caught up. |
8. Over the bridge (going West from the church) on the right hand side of the road, stood Bisby's blacksmith shop. Mr. Bisby was also a preacher and never missed an opportunity to combine both vocations. He lived in North Blandford the greater part of his life, but in advanced years moved to Hinsdale and carried on both professions. When he left, Joel Hall (a new-comer to town) moved in. While gunsmithing was Mr. Hall's trade and hobby, he did some blacksmithing. Being an expert, his delight was to shoulder a gun and go into the woods for a few hours hunt; it is said he never was known to come home empty handed, and his catch provided many an excellent game dinner.
On the second floor of the blacksmith shop was Tom Barker's cobbler's shop. Joe Phillips came to town after Tom Barker and carried on the cobbler trade. Mr. Phillips resided in the Charles Gibbs house close to the brook, near the bridge. Much to the delight of the children, Joe (as he was affectionately called by all) introduced Cracker Jack to the Village; this was a side line with him. He was often heard to remark, when one appeared to have work done, "I have so much to do jus' don't know what to do first" - and then would continue - "But jus' leave 'em there and I'll have 'em ready when you come back."
9. On the opposite side of the brook from the blacksmith shop stood the four story woolen mill. In as much as wood was used in the woolen industry, the company of Taggart and Bradley, carpenters, joiners and cabinet makers, conducted a business there also. Paddle churns with cranks proved popular and profitable but eventually bedsteads were made there.
10. Above this woolen mill stood a dye factory. Cloth woven at the woolen mill (in the earlier days) was dyed in this factory.
11/12. Standing beside the dye factory, up the brook, was a whip-butt establishment. Whip-butts were finished here for a large Westfield concern (presumably the Westfield Whip Company). Some years later, this building was taken over by Norton and Ely for a leather finishing shop. The huge window and floor space were needed as this shop finished leather for three 2 tanneries - the one in North Blandford - one in Algerie (above North Blandford toward East Otis) - and the one in the vicinity of the Gibbs Brothers farm.
13. Mr. Frisbie, and later Mr. George Fields, ran a grist mill next door to the tannery. Mr. Fields' home was the old Waite homestead at the head of Waite's Pond. In as much as this was the only grist mill for many a mile, a steady stream of vehicles went up and down the hill daily.
14. Just above this grist mill stood Woolen mill Number 2. This was later taken over by Charles and Addison Waite for a cardboard factory. This factory was operated by the Waite family until 1911.
15. Continuing our trip up the hill beside this busy stream, we come to the head of Waite's Pond (back of the existing trolley bed). It was here that Colonel Loring (grandfather of the late May Loring of Chester Road) operated a sawmill.
16. Returning again to the church corner, and traveling up the west branch of the brook (toward East Otis) one arrives at the chair factory. This was but a short distance from the bridge. Chairs were placed in every window for advertising purposes. In later years, this shop was operated by Frank M. Lee and Earle E. Higgins who made buttom molds, drum sticks, wooden dowels, etc.
17. Up this brook, but a short distance, Alonzo Kitman (who had purchased the whip-butt business) started his operation. Later on, baskets were made in this same building by Lloyd and Harger and still later on, by the Higgins family. (This basket shop has now been converted into a home by Conwell Higgins).
18. In the early 1800's, cheesemaking was introduced to North Blandford by a Mr. Collins of Connecticut. A cheese factory was located close to the present road going to Chester. Many pounds of cheese were made annually. In later years, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Babb made a great deal of cheese at their home in Number 3 (above the Gibbs Brothers farm). They later moved to the village.
Is it any wonder that the little brook running down beside the Chester road was named "Cheese factory brook"?
Above this factory was a large hall, which was a very popular place for dances and entertainments. Many a romance was kindled at the "old cheese factory hall" we are told.
On the second floor of the blacksmith shop was Tom Barker's cobbler's shop. Joe Phillips came to town after Tom Barker and carried on the cobbler trade. Mr. Phillips resided in the Charles Gibbs house close to the brook, near the bridge. Much to the delight of the children, Joe (as he was affectionately called by all) introduced Cracker Jack to the Village; this was a side line with him. He was often heard to remark, when one appeared to have work done, "I have so much to do jus' don't know what to do first" - and then would continue - "But jus' leave 'em there and I'll have 'em ready when you come back."
9. On the opposite side of the brook from the blacksmith shop stood the four story woolen mill. In as much as wood was used in the woolen industry, the company of Taggart and Bradley, carpenters, joiners and cabinet makers, conducted a business there also. Paddle churns with cranks proved popular and profitable but eventually bedsteads were made there.
10. Above this woolen mill stood a dye factory. Cloth woven at the woolen mill (in the earlier days) was dyed in this factory.
11/12. Standing beside the dye factory, up the brook, was a whip-butt establishment. Whip-butts were finished here for a large Westfield concern (presumably the Westfield Whip Company). Some years later, this building was taken over by Norton and Ely for a leather finishing shop. The huge window and floor space were needed as this shop finished leather for three 2 tanneries - the one in North Blandford - one in Algerie (above North Blandford toward East Otis) - and the one in the vicinity of the Gibbs Brothers farm.
13. Mr. Frisbie, and later Mr. George Fields, ran a grist mill next door to the tannery. Mr. Fields' home was the old Waite homestead at the head of Waite's Pond. In as much as this was the only grist mill for many a mile, a steady stream of vehicles went up and down the hill daily.
14. Just above this grist mill stood Woolen mill Number 2. This was later taken over by Charles and Addison Waite for a cardboard factory. This factory was operated by the Waite family until 1911.
15. Continuing our trip up the hill beside this busy stream, we come to the head of Waite's Pond (back of the existing trolley bed). It was here that Colonel Loring (grandfather of the late May Loring of Chester Road) operated a sawmill.
16. Returning again to the church corner, and traveling up the west branch of the brook (toward East Otis) one arrives at the chair factory. This was but a short distance from the bridge. Chairs were placed in every window for advertising purposes. In later years, this shop was operated by Frank M. Lee and Earle E. Higgins who made buttom molds, drum sticks, wooden dowels, etc.
17. Up this brook, but a short distance, Alonzo Kitman (who had purchased the whip-butt business) started his operation. Later on, baskets were made in this same building by Lloyd and Harger and still later on, by the Higgins family. (This basket shop has now been converted into a home by Conwell Higgins).
18. In the early 1800's, cheesemaking was introduced to North Blandford by a Mr. Collins of Connecticut. A cheese factory was located close to the present road going to Chester. Many pounds of cheese were made annually. In later years, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Babb made a great deal of cheese at their home in Number 3 (above the Gibbs Brothers farm). They later moved to the village.
Is it any wonder that the little brook running down beside the Chester road was named "Cheese factory brook"?
Above this factory was a large hall, which was a very popular place for dances and entertainments. Many a romance was kindled at the "old cheese factory hall" we are told.
