KNOWLTON MACHINE CO.
In 1864, John J. Knowlton, his brother Daniel and brother-in-law Maurice Hodgkins established a small machine shop at Saccarappa, which is now Westbrook. The business prospered, and around 1873 a two story brick building was built on the banks of the Presumpscot River. A water wheel, on what is now Dana Street, was used to provide power. In 1888, John Knowlton bought out his partners and, along with his son John D. Knowlton, ran the business until his death in 1912 at the age of 86.
The Knowlton family along with longtime superintendent Theodore R. Hanna continued to run the business until the 1970s when Frank Boyden acquired the company. John Rogen later purchased the business and continued to run it out of the old building on Dana Street.
On Dec. 31, 1981, a spectacular fire destroyed the Dana Street building. The business relocated to Sanford Drive in the Gorham
Industrial Park where it still operates.
Right, a burned out shell is left of the old building, which is still standing on Dana Street.
Photo courtesy of Mike Sanphy
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