schoolhouse brook mill site, north river road
Lower dam and mill site
Waterway: School House Brook
Water power: Overshot wheel
Mill type: Saw mill, spool manufacturing, and ice pond
Water power: Overshot wheel
Mill type: Saw mill, spool manufacturing, and ice pond
History: Little history could be found on this site. The site was constructed circa 1725 to support a small sawmill. Since there was a lack of other saw mill sites in proximity to its location, it most likely was a busy saw mill. There were various reports that other wood products were manufactured there. While little information could be obtained on other purposes of the mill site might have been, a number of clues were uncovered. Wooden spools have been found at the site. Also there were reports of the pond being used as a source of a supply of ice in the days when the adjacent district school house was in operation.
Site Characteristics: Two on-stream dams creating small ponds are located on School House Brook on the northwesterly side of North River Road and were used as part of a mill site. Located about 280 feet from each other, both ponds were used in tandem to provide sufficient water supplies to operate the mill. The lower dam can be seen from the road. The remnants of the dam and penstock remain in place.
Additional Sources of Information: “Lost Mill Sites in Tolland, Connecticut,” 2013, by Richard N. Symonds, Jr.
Site Characteristics: Two on-stream dams creating small ponds are located on School House Brook on the northwesterly side of North River Road and were used as part of a mill site. Located about 280 feet from each other, both ponds were used in tandem to provide sufficient water supplies to operate the mill. The lower dam can be seen from the road. The remnants of the dam and penstock remain in place.
Additional Sources of Information: “Lost Mill Sites in Tolland, Connecticut,” 2013, by Richard N. Symonds, Jr.
Lower dam and mill site
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Upper dam
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Upper dam
