Washington Cotton Mill, on Mill Creek near State Highway 212, Washington

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS UTAH,27-WASH,3-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

This was the largest factory west of the Mississippi when built, significant during the period of colonization of the southwestern part of the state, PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION: A* Physical History: 1. Original and subsequent owners: U.S. patent to Adolphus R. Whitehead, (September 16, Adolphus R. Whitehead to Hans Hansen or Virgen Company (December 27, Zions Cooperative Rio Virgen Company to Edward H. Snow (January 8, Edward H. Snow and wife to Washington Cotton and Bolting Company (March 27, Washington Cotton and Bolting Company to Edward Nelson and Edward H. Snow, (October 31, Rulon A. and Marion M. Snow, Laura S. Woodbury and Lena Nelson to Norman W. Walker (February 14, Norman W. and Helen Walker to Leon Hegwood and William Adler, (January 3, 2. Date of erection: 3.

Architect: Unknown 4. Builder, suppliers, etc.: Supervisor of construction: Appleton Harmon, inventor of the odometer. Stonemasons: Elijah and Elisha Averett, Charles L. Walker, Timber work: John P. Chidester. Hauling: Hyrum Walker and August Madkelprang. UTAH 27-WASH WASHINGTON COTTON MILL 3. HAES No. U-l (Page 2) 5. Notes on original plan and construction of building: The original building was one story in height, constructed of red sandstone and timber. A second story and attic were added to the structure in the fall of B.

Historical Events and Persons Associated with the Building: After the establishment of the Cotton Mission in Southern Utah's "Dixie" country by Brigham Young, a move necessitated by the curtailment of the cotton supply from the Southern States during the Civil War, the need arose for local processing mills. In Brigham Young purchased the water privileges of Mill Creek from John M. Chidester, and began to explore possible sites for a cotton factory. He chose Washington because of its central location to the settlements, proximity to the cotton fields, and excellent water resources.

Work commenced on the factory in and the first story was dedicated on July 24, It was probably not completed until December of or January of The machinery was installed about this time, having been brought from Salt Lake City by George Crosby and Orson Foster. James Davidson, a church convert from Scotland, supervised the installation and instructed the workers in the operation of the machinery. The factory was in operation early in and at this time Brigham Young sent down Mr. Adolphus Whitehead and his family from Salt Lake City to become secretary (and eventually manager) of the company. Success was immediate, and in the fall of two more stories were added.

Joseph Birch, who was manager at this time, left for the east on July 12, to purchase new machinery, which arrived in November of that year. In Brigham Young had offered to turn over his ownership of the factory to a locally organized cooperative. Shares were sold through the settlements, and in the Zions Cooperative Rio Virgen Manufacturing Company (instead of the Rio Virgen Manufacturing Company) was organized, with Erastus Snow and James G. Bleak as President and Secretary. With the end of the Civil War and increased competition from the Southern States, aggravated by the high cost of production and irrigation, the local settlers turned to more lucrative crops and in some cases mining.

The economy of the factory faltered, in spite of the exhortations of church leaders, and it barely survived the Panic of In Thomas J. Jones assumed the management from Adolphus R. Whitehead 1 i - f\ * < 7- VJ/U-M WASHINGTON COTTON MILL HABS No. U-l (Page 3) until when Whitehead again took over. With the growth of surrounding settlements and mining towns, production again increased and was sustained through the In Thomas Judd leased the factory and conducted it through its most profitable period until his lease expired in October, Competition of goods from the states was too great for the local effort, and Judd decided not to renew his lease. The factory closed, and did not reopen except for brief periods when parts of the building operated.

Its last major period of operation was in when Armand Hof leased it. In Andrew Karl Larson reported that part of the building was being used as a foundry by the Norwalk Company. He also states that "the lean-to on the east side and the structure on the south end which housed the water wheel and power shaft have long since been torn away." C. Sources of Information: 1. Primary and unpublished sources: Washington County Abstracts of Title, Washington City. 2.

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS UTAH,27-WASH,3-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Hofen, A.K. Beneath Vermillion Cliffs, Published privately, St. George, Utah, Larson, Andrew Karl. I Was Called to Dixie, Deseret News Press, Larson, Andrew Karl. The Red Hills of November, Deseret News Press, Larson, Gustave 0. Prelude to the Kingdom, Marshall Jones Company, Francestown, Miller, Albert E. The Immortal Pioneers, Published privately, Mortenson, A.R. Utah's Dixie, The Cotton Mission, Utah State Historical Society Quarterly, Volume XXIX, Number 3, July Prepared by John L. Giusti, AIA July 26, VTfiH WASHINGTON COTTON MILL HABS No. U-l (Page 4) PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement: 1. Architectural interest: Pioneer industrial building of unusual size for its remote location and early date. 2, Condition of fabric: Masonry and heavy timber intact.

Slight fire damage at Southwest interior. Most glass broken; plaster in bad shape. B. Detailed Description of Exterior: 1. Number of stories: Three 2. Number of bays: 3x8 3. Over-all dimensions: x 4. Layout-shape: Rectangular with small wing at corner, 5. Foundations: Red sandstone 6. Wall construction, finish and color: Red sandstone coursed rubble. 7. Chimneys: No masonry chimneys remain, 8. Openings: Original openings have heavy timber lintels; wood frames and sills. No original sash or doors remain. Modern steel casements have been installed. 9. Roof: a. Shape, covering: Gable - wood shingles now covered with composition roll roofing; b. Cornice, eaves: Very plain, almost no overhang.

This ridge beam projects at each end so that loads could be delivered at loft doors by means of pulley hoists. A small projection of the roof shelters the beam. C. Detailed Description of Interior: 1. Floor plans: Each floor is a single open space, except the first floor is broken by two rows of columns; the t WASHINGTON COTTON MILL HABS No. U-l (Page 5) north bay is separated by a heavy stone wall and small rooms are attached at northwest and southeast corners. That at the southeast is frame and recent. That at the northwest is stone and appears in old photos. Second floor is completely open. Attic level inter- rupted by heavy timber roof supports. 2. Stairways: Location of original stairs not apparent. 3. Flooring: Modern concrete at first floor. Upper floors broad planks.

Location of beams and breaks in planks indicate possible positioning of floor openings for stairs and machinery. 4. Wall and ceiling finish: Plastered walls first and second floors. Exposed construction at ceilings originally. First floor ceiling now concealed by celotex. 5. Doorways and doors: Only the openings remain in interior stone partitions. 6. Heating: Modern oil-fired furnace in northwest room. D. Site and Surroundings: 1. Orientation: Runs north-south with a cliff at west side and creek at east. Road and bridge to the north lead into town of Washington. 2. Landscaping and walks, enclosures: Area abandoned to weeds. Millrace partly obliterated. Prepared by Paul Goeldner, AIA Supervisory Architect Utah Project July 16,