Bates Mill Complex: November 21, 2008

After I had left Veterans Memorial Park, I went less than a half mile down the road to the Bates Mill Complex. This was one of the quickest visits I had done. I parked along side of the canal and walked close to the mill. Most of the mill has now become shops, so I just wanted to get some photos of the outside. Looking at the mill was cool. It is now rundown and isn't in the shape it used to be. There wasn't anybody around except for the cars driving behind me. After walking around for a few minutes and getting some pictures I left.

Historical Significance

Bates Mill Complex was first established by Benjamin E. Bates in 1850. The mill served as the largest employer in the area until the 1960's. The greater part of the capitol from the mill went towards the founding of Bates College, which is named after Bates. The mill was built in the perfect spot because of the location next to the Androscoggin River and the falls. The mill ran on water power which was one of the most efficient ways to run electricity even today. The river powered the spinning and loom machines. The manufacturing of textiles was the prime product in the mill, and during the civil war, Bates Mill created much of the uniforms for the Union army. Cotton from the southern states was used to created the Union uniforms. It was stored in warehouses before the war started. The mill spans a great area on the waterfront which you can see in this aerial photo from google earth.

Thousands of immigrants migrated to Lewiston from Canada and Europe in order to gain employment at the Mill. The mill has a great significance to the Franco-American movement in Lewiston. My Pepe whose name is on the tablets at the nearby Veterans Memorial Park, worked at the mill for almost 40 years. My Meme also worked at the mill for just as long.

After shutting down in the 1960s the mill became run down and started to diminish. The city of Lewiston bought the mill in 1992 in order to maintain it. Soon a private company and eventually TD Banknorth would buy the mill and has gone to great length to refurbish the mill. Many shops are now apart of the mill as well as the L/A Museum and Country Kitchen.

This mill is significant because of the history it has provided for Maine and Lewiston. I wouldn't have enough space to talk about all the things the mill did both good and bad. Plus I don't want to say to much because I'm writing a paper on it. However, the mill has stood the test of time. The many mills are still standing thanks to the preservation attempts by the city of Lewiston and TD Banknorth.

Resources: Wikipedia, Google Eatth