Pictured at left is mill No.1 of the Portland Manufacturing Company which was built on the north bank of the Presumpscot River at Bridge Street in the 1830’s.
The company manufactured sail duck, which was used for sailing ships.
In 1858, the company was reorganized and became the Westbrook Manufacturing Company.
A second building, mill No. 2, was built adjacent this building in 1868.
Mill building No. 1 became unsafe and was demolished.
The company continued to prosper until a devastating flood in 1896 caused severe damage to the buildings and products from which the company never recovered.
The business closed and the buildings were purchased by Mr. Dana to become part of the Dana Warp Mill.
The upper floors of mill No. 2 were demolished for safety reasons and the remaining first floor and basement continued as part of Dana Warp Mill until Stultz Electric Company acquired the building in 1956.
Several years ago this building was purchased by Flannery Properties for One Riverfront Plaza, which now occupies this site. The foundation wall of mill No. 1 can still be seen on the bank of the Presumpscot River.
Photos courtesy of Mike Sanphy
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