A well deserved subject! It is indeed a wonderful place to visit, and responsible for many of my interests as an adult. Fish, turtles, old dams...great place to be a kid. All except for the drain shaft at the tail end of second pond...which scared me to death. Thanks for reviving fun memories!
Thanks! That old spillway was the “secret cave” and I was sure we were the only ones who knew of it (which may have actually been the case). There were some enormous snapping turtles in that pond, too. As you say, a great place to be a kid.
So Elisha, your from Dover? Did u attend our local schools? I have many things of which I wish to expound on..re our town. I also am curious re Dick Vara composing a newer book in 2003?..which I hadn't heard of until now, Mrs V. and my mother were good friends for decades..but perhaps my ma was with Alzheimer's already by then so may not have told me of this. Last I visited was 1997.
May 23, 2023·edited May 23, 2023Liked by Elisha Lee
I greatly appreciate your piece on my towns history. I would often accompany Mr Vara on historical research expeditions. It's news to me ,..that this iron mill was unsuccessful due to the waters slow pace. Though I am 60 soon, & no longer 12, Dover history has never ceased being an interest of mine.
What a great story -- it has everything from obscurity to riches, from business partnerships to water shortages, from smoldering charcoal to celebrity archaeologists!
I grew up on Powissett Farm ('59 to '71) although my parents had no connection to the place beyond renting the house, and went to CRS but not DSHS. Dick wrote his book on the Iron Mill in 2003 and later a second edition of his Dover book was published posthumously.
A well deserved subject! It is indeed a wonderful place to visit, and responsible for many of my interests as an adult. Fish, turtles, old dams...great place to be a kid. All except for the drain shaft at the tail end of second pond...which scared me to death. Thanks for reviving fun memories!
Thanks! That old spillway was the “secret cave” and I was sure we were the only ones who knew of it (which may have actually been the case). There were some enormous snapping turtles in that pond, too. As you say, a great place to be a kid.
So Elisha, your from Dover? Did u attend our local schools? I have many things of which I wish to expound on..re our town. I also am curious re Dick Vara composing a newer book in 2003?..which I hadn't heard of until now, Mrs V. and my mother were good friends for decades..but perhaps my ma was with Alzheimer's already by then so may not have told me of this. Last I visited was 1997.
I greatly appreciate your piece on my towns history. I would often accompany Mr Vara on historical research expeditions. It's news to me ,..that this iron mill was unsuccessful due to the waters slow pace. Though I am 60 soon, & no longer 12, Dover history has never ceased being an interest of mine.
Thanks for reading it! I think the problem was a combination of inadequate water flow and an overly large waterwheel.
Too bad it didn't work out for Mr Barden! A fascinating look at the "Industrial Revolution" on a small scale in a small town. Thanks, Elisha.
What a great story -- it has everything from obscurity to riches, from business partnerships to water shortages, from smoldering charcoal to celebrity archaeologists!
I grew up on Powissett Farm ('59 to '71) although my parents had no connection to the place beyond renting the house, and went to CRS but not DSHS. Dick wrote his book on the Iron Mill in 2003 and later a second edition of his Dover book was published posthumously.