Adams Mill Trail - Part 2

After a few days of rain, it was a welcome relief to see the sun again. While on errands up in Manchester, I decided to revisit the Adams Mill Trail and check out the powerhouse ruins on the north side of the river.

The old mill is now a brewery...

After walking across a footbridge over the remains of a watergate, the trail proceeds along the top of the old earthen dike... 

 

The dike looks like it might have been breached here (perhaps this is from the aftermath of the 1938 hurricane)

 

Once at the powerhouse ruins, there's a lot to see!

"The frame of the brick hydroelectric structure was built by the E.E.Hilliard Company around 1907. This dam burst during the great New England Hurricane of 1938."

Remains of the sandstone dam are scattered about...

-short video-

I'll be back to hike the whole trail (north/south and the rr bridge soon!) - its pretty nice...

Historic Details

In the 19th century, before back-hoes and Caterpillar tractors, numerous dikes and dams were built along the Hockanum River to harness water power for mill machinery. This hike shows remains of dams, ponds and sluiceways from long ago. Except for the Union Pond Dam, all of the dams along the Hockanum were destroyed in a devastating flood of 1869.

In 1863, Peter C. Adams had purchased a paper mill, outbuildings, 38 acres of land and Hockanum River water privileges. He purchased additional land, houses and barns between 1869 and 1876. The present Adams Mill Restaurant building was constructed in 1880 (see the marble inscription over the front door). The Adams Mill flourished until Peter Adams' death in 1896.

Financial decline and failure closed most mills by the 1880s and 1890s, leaving a few mill buildings and many ruins. The old Hilliard Mills and the Adams Mill are among the best preserved along the Hockanum River. Behind the Adams Mill Restaurant can be seen ruins of the extensive system of dikes and two dams which were destroyed in the 1938 hurricane. Source >