Otis Company Mill No. 1

The Old Stone Mill (Otis Company Mill #1) is a five story granite structure which sits amidst a cluster of nineteenth century red brick textile mills. It faces East Main Street to the north and abuts the Ware River along the building's entire southern facade. Due to a difference in ground elevation, only four of the five stories are visible from the street (north) side. The building's design clearly reflects its intended industrial function as well as mid- nineteenth century building technology. The original building is a 48' wide x 200' long rectangle with load bearing walls. Cast iron tie rods which were used to stabilize major interior floor beams form a linear pattern on the exterior wall surface.

Numerous 6'x3' Hhon song the noren ste o the buiftin, fr m aiy vertica a me u tne origtcal Locally quarried granite is the primary building material. The fieldstone foundation is veneered with coursed granite ashlar; the load bearing walls are made of thick granite blocks as is the five story north stair tower; the window lintels and sills are also of granite. The building's lines, proportions, monumental scale, massive cut stone walls, regularly spaced large paned six over six double hung windows, pitched roof, and the granite returns at the gable ends reflect the Greek Revival style which was very popular in Ware at the time of the building's construction in 1845.

The date "1845"' is chiseled into a stone above the entrance of the main stair tower on the north side and is corraborated by docu- mentary evidence. There have been a number of additions to the original building. The two story granite annex on the west end apparently dates to 1854. It projects 20' from the main building and is 36' wide.

(in one paragraph) Builder/Architect probably Joseph Brown The Otis Mill possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, and workman- Architecturally, this building is an outstanding example of an early 19th century textile mill of the Rhode Island type and so meets criterion C. This type of mill was modeled rather closely after its late 18th century English counterpart. As New England's fledgling textile industry of that era played a vanguard role in transforming the U.S. into an industrial nation, the significance of this type of mill can hardly be understated. Otis Mill #1 is one of the last remaining granite textile mills of this early (pre-turbine) period in western Massachusetts.1 For all of these reasons the Otis Mill also meets criterion A.

The only other survivors are Thorndike #1 and #2 in Palmer. The Thorndike mills have been severely altered; a story added, roofs flattened (not uncommon), most windows replaced with cinderblocks, and prolonged neglect has run its ugly course. The exceptional condition of Otis Mill #1 further enhances its significance. n a local level, Otis Mill #1 is significant in a number of areas. The mills determined the site of Ware's major settlement, and even its layout to an extent, for the company originally owned most of the village. The mills were the keystone upon which the local economy rested. Ware's fortunes rose and fell with those of the Otis Company.

mill workers were originally paid only twice a year (in credit redeemable at the Company Store), said mhg mel witn thoe ot cor ueanice ar the conpaly store enjoyed a uniquely advantageous position in the world company likewise played a major role in town politics, education, housing, religion, and even recreation.