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Chittenden Mills - the "Old Red Mill" - in Jericho, Vermont was declared a
National Historic Site in 1972. It is one of two remaining mills out of eight
that were once sited on the Brown's River's seven water privileges in Jericho.
The Chittenden Mills at site number 2 has the longest and most interesting
history.
Prior to 1855, Anson Field Sr. had a cabinet shop and starch mill at this
site. His sons ran mills at site numbers 4, 5 and 6. The mill at site number 4
was a chair factory; at site number 5 was a wooden pump and tubing factory; at
site number 6 was a sawmill. The Chittenden Mills has changed hands many times.
Mr. Field sold out to Mr. Maeck about 1855, who, in turn, sold to James
Hutchinson in 1856. Mr. Hutchinson, with money he reputedly made by speculating
in cattle and mules during the California Gold Rush days, converted to a stone
grist mill on the site. He, in turn, sold to Hira A. Percival and Clark Wilbur.
About 1867, the mill and site were sold to Ferdinand Beach and Lucien Howe. Mr.
Howe became sole owner about five years later.
At this time, the mill building was about two-thirds its present size and
made entirely of stone. It was a burr mill, using five runs of mill stones,
powered by water from the river and employing five or six men. In addition to
doing custom milling for local farmers, Mr. Howe milled about 20,000 bushels of
western (Michigan, Illinois) wheat and 10,000 bushels of corn. He produced
buckwheat, graham, brown and white flour, as well as corn, oat and rye meal for
sale throughout northern Vermont.
In 1885, Mr. Howe's son, Frank, became a partner. Major changes were made
including enlarging the building to its present size, adding the upper floors
and the tower-cupola to house the bucket elevator. The walls above the first
floor masonry were made of 2x6" planks laid flat, one on top of the other, a
type of construction known as "rampart" style. The supporting columns down the
center of the first floor were made from tree trunks, turned on a homemade lathe
by local craftsmen. Other work included the distinctive metal siding and the
attaching of an older building to the rear of the mill for grain storage. At
this time a significant change was made in the milling process. The old mill
stones were replaced by the new roller process. This was reported to be the
first mill in New England to use this process.
To develop the power needed for this new process and the increased size of
the mill, the river channel was deepened by blasting with dynamite - a new and
novel method at that time. Contemporary accounts praise the man who did the
blasting for his skill in doing the work without damaging the mill walls. When
the work was finished, the mill had a 27' head of water to provide power for the
water turbines. At this time it was named "Chittenden Mills" in honor of
Governor Thomas Chittenden, first governor of Vermont and great-great
grandfather of Frank Howe.
Power was furnished by four Tyler turbine water wheels manufactured by
Edwards, Stevens and Company of Winooski Falls, Vermont, as were over 20 tons of
shafting, pulleys and gears. The grinding was done on the first floor. The
second floor was a combination storage and processing area. The third floor also
housed some of the processing equipment. Grain was brought to the mill by local
farmers and from the Midwest by rail to the Jericho station from which it was
delivered to the mill by horse and wagon. Dumped into the elevator bin, it was
raised to the top of the tower to fall by gravity to one of the cleaning
machines, the scales, or to a bin.
Lucien Howe died in 1899. In 1904, his son Frank, who had managed the mill
since his father's death sold the mill to Moses S. Whitcomb. It was about this
time that the making of flour ceased at the mill and the roller mills were sold.
Instead, flour was shipped in for resale in the area. A modern grinder was
installed for feed work. In 1906, the mill was sold to Charles F. Reavy and in
1919, to Carman S. Brush and his son. The Brushes ran the mill until 1937 when
it was sold to E. W. Bailey Co., and managed by Kenneth Buxton. The mill was
finally closed in 1945 and most of the machinery sold, marking the end of its
life as a grist mill.
 In 1945, the mill and site were purchased by George White. In 1946 his son,
Floyd, built the Chittenden Mills Service Station. Space in the mill building
was used as an auto repair and paint shop, while the second floor served as a
rifle range and basketball court. In 1955 the entire property was sold to Alonzo
Bennett and remained intact until 1972. It was at this time that the newly
formed Historical Society became concerned about the future of the Mill. At the
1973 March Meeting, the Town voted to purchase the Mill and to rent it to the
Jericho Historical Society, which undertook the renovation of the building for use as a
cultural, educational and recreational center for the community. A 1975 vote
transferred ownership to the Historical Society. Department of the Interior
Historic Preservation funds, grants from private foundations, and activities of
the Society have been primary sources for renovation funding. In addition,
rentals and proceeds from the Craft Shop are used to pay maintenance costs and
renovation when possible. New flooring, insulation, lighting and heat have made
it possible to use the basement and first floor. Additional funds are needed for
approved stairs to the upper floors, rebuilding of the dam with formation of a
pond to harness the river for power to generate electricity and, hopefully, to
run a demonstration milling operation in the not-too-distant-future.
THE MUSEUM
The entire lower level of the building houses the Historical Society Museum
opened in 1981. Priceless mementos of "Snowflake" Bentley, original milling
machinery and the products of Jericho's water powered mills are all on display.
A self-guided tour folder is available at the craft shop.
THE MILL HOUSE
The Mill house located adjacent to the mill was built in 1859 by Anson Field.
Gothic gables and gingerbread make the house a fine example of a 19th century
residence for the mill owner or head miller. The Society purchased the house in
June, 1978 and the mill and the house are once again united.
At the Mill complex you will also find the Saxon Hill School and the
Jericho Historical Society Archives.
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