Limerick Mills, Limerick, Me. 14ax.

Limerick Mills, Limerick, Me. 14ax.

"Limerick Mills, Limerick, Me. 14ax." The image shows the company town clustered around the Limerick Woolen Mill and along the shore of Sokokis Lake. The row of almost identical workers' houses in the foreground and also at the upper right characterize the mill village, or factory town. In this view the Eastern photographer has included a few tiny vignettes to animate the panaorama. In the backyard of a house, a man points out something to a small group of people. A man leads a horse and carriage down the road in the foreground. A truck is parked beside a barn on the left. Laundry flaps on a line. An article written about Limerick Mills for the industry publication "Textile American" in 1910, around the time this image was made, documents the scene: "The mills are situated at the outlet of Sokokis Lakeon Little Ossipee River.. the plant is run partly by water power. Two new granite dams supply the water power...and a cement dam and a power plant have been built on Little Ossipee River about five miles away...which supplies an ample amount of electric power. "Since the present company (Limerick Mills) has had control, all the old mill tenements (worker housing) have been renovated and refitted. Six new tenements, with modern improvements, including cement cellars and electric lights, have been added and eight more houses are in the process of construction. "A good class of help is employed and a social life prevails that is worth while. A brass band was recently organized and many such features contribute to the health, happiness, and contentment of the employees. The mills are situated in one of the finest mill villages in Maine..." The article reflects the developing practice in the early 20th century, of the company town, wherein a large industry provides housing and other amenties for its employees and effectively creates its own community-- socially as well as physically. "During the past five years the mill has been very successful and has doubled its capacity by the addition of brand new machinery, part of which was imported from England, part (from)...America. The high class character of the mill product has won for it an enviable reputation and is favorably known throughout the trade. "The Limerick Mill is capitalized for $300,000. ...the mill sells (worsted yarns) direct, and through selling agents in Boston and Philadelphia..."