Limerick Mills, Limerick, Me. 22.

Limerick Mills, Limerick, Me. 22.

"Limerick Mills, Limerick, Me. 22." View of the Limerick Mills building, still retaining its mid-19th century windows, clapboard exterior, and belfry. Adam Farley, in the publication "Irish America" writes: "The mill was... built in 1846 by James Bradbury as the Limerick Manufacturing Company. In 1857 it was purchased by Joshua Holland, who became the supplier of wool blankets to the Union Army during the Civil War. The Civil War blankets became known as the "Holland Blanket". The company still exists as Bosal Foam & Fiber." A 1910 article in the industry publication "Textile American" supplies the following subsequent history: "...John Holland succeeded his father Joshua, operating the mill for...over 17 years, after which the mill (was sold to)... the Garners..." (thence to a group of investors including Charles G. Moulton of Limerick, comprising the Limerick Mills Corporation.) The mill continued to produce woolens through the turn of the 20th century. The mill operation got a boost in 1905 when Robert Halford, an Englishman with broad experience in the manufacture of worsteds in England, and in mills in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Sanford, Maine, was hired: "...Halford came to Limerick as Superintendent of the Limerick Mills and, after renovating and rearranging the mill buildings, installed a full complement of machinery for manufacturing worsted yarns... "The mills are situated at the outlet of Sokokis Lake on 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, wherin 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..."