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| WILLOWDALE
MILL
Hamilton, Massachusetts
Total Acres: 25
Year Conserved: 1969 |
| PROPERTY
DESCRIPTION
Willowdale Mill is the site of a 19th century textile mill constructed
by Dr. Thomas Manning. The original wooden mill was replaced with
a stone structure, and by 1834 a factory complex, including mill,
boarding house, and factory building, was in full operation turning
out woolen goods. Manning Mills, later known as Willowdale Manufacturing
Company, continued making hosiery and blankets until 1884, when
the mill was destroyed by fire. Remnants of the mill can be clearly
seen - earth, stone and wooden reminders of a century's labor. The
sluiceway that channeled water from the Ipswich River to power the
mill is dry now, but the once swift current's path is still clearly
visible, slicing an indentation from one end of the Willowdale reservation
to the other. The surrounding woods are dotted with white pine,
with fine broad paths carpeted in layers of pine needles for walking
or horseback riding.
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Trail
Map
Trail
& Locus Map (pdf) |
Activities
Hiking, birding & nature study,
cross country skiing & snowshoeing, fishing, canoeing |
Parking
Parking is limited to
4 cars.
Park in the dirt pullout at the corner of the field, just across the
bridge. Do not block the gate, which provides emergency and fire access
to Bradley Palmer State Park. |
Directions
From Route 1:
Drive east toward Ipswich on Ipswich Road, which becomes Topsfield
Road in Ipswich, until you reach Foote's Canoe Rental on your right.
At the next possible right, turn right onto Winthrop Street. The sign
for this road may be missing, but it is directly opposite a large
yellow veterinarian's office. Drive just beyond the wooden bridge
over the Ipswich River. The property is on the right and is marked
by a small field and pullout.
From Ipswich Center:
Drive west on Topsfield Road and turn left onto Winthrop Street.
Proceed as above. |
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