In the late 19th century, the bustling town of Livermore Falls, Maine, was at the center of a rapidly growing industrial scene, driven largely by its location along the Androscoggin River. A prominent feature of the landscape was Hugh Chisholm’s Umbagog Paper Mill, which was expanding its operations when a photograph was taken in 1885. This image captures not only the physical growth of the paper mill but also reflects the broader industrial transformation taking place in the region during that period.

The Umbagog Paper Mill, which stood in the foreground, was one of the largest and most important mills in Livermore Falls. It played a pivotal role in the paper production industry, which was a significant contributor to the economy of the area. The expansion of this mill was a sign of the growing demand for paper products, particularly as industries and businesses sought more efficient ways to produce materials for printing and packaging. The mill itself was a massive structure, using the power of the Androscoggin River to fuel its operations.

Across the river from the Umbagog Paper Mill were several smaller mills, each contributing to the thriving industrial ecosystem in the area. These included a sawmill, pulp mill, leatherboard mill, gristmill, and even a novelty dowel mill. Each of these smaller mills had its own specialized function, processing raw materials into finished products that would serve the needs of the growing population and industry.

The sawmill, for instance, was responsible for cutting timber into usable planks for building materials, while the pulp mill produced the raw material needed for paper-making. The leatherboard mill produced a durable material used in the manufacture of boxes and other products, while the gristmill ground grain into flour for local consumption. The novelty dowel mill, which is an interesting feature in the lineup of mills, produced dowels small cylindrical rods used in furniture and other wood products. These mills were all part of a network that transformed raw natural resources into a wide array of products, ranging from basic food staples to industrial goods.

A key feature of the mills on the Androscoggin River was their reliance on water power. The river provided the energy needed to run the mills, and most of the 18th and 19th-century mills along the river were powered by canals that diverted water from the main river. These canals were carefully designed to ensure a steady flow of water to power the mills’ machinery, and their placement was strategic. The canals ran alongside the mills, sometimes even beneath them, in an effort to minimize the risk of flood damage during the spring thaw.

Spring floods were a common and often destructive occurrence in Maine, and the placement of the mills and their canals was specifically designed to reduce the risk of being washed away by rising waters. By situating the mills in such a way that the canals directed water beneath the structures, the mills were able to continue operating during much of the year, even when the Androscoggin River was at its highest and most unpredictable.

The image of Livermore Falls in 1885 offers a glimpse into a time when industrialization was rapidly changing the landscape and economy of Maine. The mills, like the Umbagog Paper Mill, were a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the people who built them. They harnessed the power of the river to fuel their operations and provided essential goods to the local and regional economy. At the same time, the expansion of these mills also highlighted the growing demands of an industrial society, where paper, timber, and other products were in high demand for a variety of uses.

Today, the remnants of these mills serve as a reminder of the industrial past of Livermore Falls and the surrounding area. The Umbagog Paper Mill and its counterparts were not just factories; they were central to the development of the town and the surrounding communities. The ingenuity involved in their construction, along with their reliance on the natural resources of the Androscoggin River, speaks to a time when industry and nature were closely intertwined. The image from 1885, preserved by the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society, serves as an invaluable historical artifact, capturing the industrial heart of Livermore Falls and the region during a period of rapid change.

As we reflect on the history of Livermore Falls and its industrial legacy, it is clear that the mills, including the Umbagog Paper Mill, were essential to the growth and development of the town and the wider region. They were not just places of work but symbols of progress, innovation, and the harnessing of natural resources for human enterprise.