The document summarizes an archaeological survey of historic mill sites in Wakefield, New Hampshire. It identifies 20 mill locations that were investigated through historic research and field work. Key findings included ruins of dams and mill foundations at sites along the Pine River, Lovell Lake, Branch River, Great East Lake, and Horn Pond. The survey identified mills ranging from the early 1800s to the late 1800s, some operated by families and others by larger companies. The archaeological work helped uncover new details about Wakefield's industrial past.

1. Wakefield Industrial Sites Archaeological SurveyPrepared for the Wakefield Heritage CommissionBy Sheila Charles, MAVictoria Bunker, PhDDennis HoweWith contributions byDavid Trubey, MA and Abbie YoungAugust 2011

2. Town Wide Archaeological Survey & Sensitivity Assessment to Document Historic Mill SitesFunded by a Preservation GrantFollowed NHDHR guidelines, in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation ActPhase 1A Archaeological Reconnaissance Historic research and archaeological field investigations of a visible mill resources (max. 20), including above ground and submerged archeological elements

3. Historic archaeology is an important research method for discovering evidence of the past, including Wakefield’s first settlers, farmers, tavern keepers, Revolutionary & Civil War veterans, and millers and industrialists!Solving the Mysteries of the Past!

4. Multiple Research LocationsGafney LibraryNH State Library NH State Archives

5. Town-Related Archives

6. Historic Maps1805 Cook Map1805 Cook Map189 1892 Hurd Map

7. Oral History InterviewsThe following historians, town residents, and agency representatives contributed to the success of this project: Amanda BevardPeter Brown, Wakefield Heritage CommissionRussell ChickBeryl Donovan, Wakefield Gafney Library Director Lisa DudleyFr. Edmund, St. Anthony Church, WakefieldDr. James Garvin, State Architectural Historian, NH Division of Historical ResourcesGina GoldenAnn (Paul) HatchMaurice HatchTucker HerbarickPamela Judge, Wakefield Heritage CommissionPeter Kasprzyk,Wakefield Heritage CommissionCathy KinvilleRandy KinvilleRoger KinvilleRonald KinvilleTanya Krajdik, Records Coordinator, NH Division of Historical ResourcesJennifer Rich, Wakefield Gafney Library Assistant Snooky Shea, Wakefield Heritage CommissionDr. Leith Smith, Historic Sites Archeologist, Maine Historic Preservation CommissionDr. Arthur Speiss, State Archeologist, Maine Historic Preservation Commission

8. Field MethodologyNon-invasive field techniques resulted in no site impacts. Pedestrian surveys/visual walkovers to identify historic mill and dam locations

9. Ground truthingof mill locations depicted on historic maps or known by residents.

10. Recording details of historic foundations, dams, penstocks, race-ways, other archaeological features, as well as the terrain, vegetation, and landscape alterations.

11. Taking representative photographs of the existing conditions of the site.

12. Drawing scaled and measured maps of visible surface features and architectural elements.No subsurface excavation or artifact recovery was undertaken.

13. Research disclosed five discrete industrial clusters in Wakefield.Dorr’s Pond and Woodman Pine river pond and north WakefieldGreat East Lake, Horn Pond and Salmon Falls River Lovell Lake, Upper Branch and SanbornvilleBranch River and UnionEach of these zones contained mills spanning multiple decades. Some mills were small family operations, while others were large corporate owned establishments.

14. Identified Historic Industrial Sites include:Campbell Mill Site (Outlet Belleau Lake)Alfred Woodman Mill Site (Unnamed stream , Woodman)Libby & Woodman – Chick Mill Site (Unnamed stream, Woodman)Pine River Pond Dam & Lumber Company Site (Outlet Pine River Pond)Pine Brook Mill Site (Pine Brook)Brackett’s Shingle Mill Site (Unnamed stream flowing to Lovell Lake)Lovell Lake Dam ( Outlet Lovell Lake)Sanborn Mill Site (Branch River)Sanborn Dam Site (Branch River)Marsh Road Site (Branch River)Union Meadows Dam (Branch River)Great East Lake Site (Outlet Great East Lake)Horn Pond Mill Site (Outlet Horn Pond)Wiggin Mill Site (Salmon Falls River) Drew Mill Site (Branch River, Union) Union Upper Dam Site (Branch River, Union)Union Middle Dam Site (Branch River, Union)Union Lower Dam Site (Branch River, Union)

15. Campbell Mill Site Ruins of Dam

16. Campbell Sawmill

17. Alfred Woodman Mill Site1850 Products of Industry Alfred Woodman’s Lumber and Shingle Mills (US Federal Census Bureau 1850)

18. Libby & Woodman – Chick Mill Site

19. Libby & Woodman – Chick Mill SiteRecovered ArtifactsFrancis Turbine from east side of mill foundation

20. Libby & Woodman – Chick Mill Site

21. 1805 Cook Map of Pine River Pond Area

22. Pine River Pond Lumber Co. Mill Site

23. Pine River Pond Dam

24. Pine River Pond Lumber Co. Site

25. Pine Brook Mill Site

26. Brackett’s Shingle Mill Site Daniel Brackett operated a mill on the property c.1861-1880.

27. Daniel Brackett’s shingle mill is depicted on the 1861 Walling map.

28. Daniel Brackett was listed in the 1868 New Hampshire Business Directory as a carpenter & builder and shingle mill operator .

29. Details of Brackett’s milling operations are recorded in the 1870 and 1880 US industrial census.1870 & 1880 Products of IndustryDaniel Brackett’s Mill(US Federal Census Bureau 1870 &1880)

30. Brackett’s Shingle Mill Dam

31. Brackett’s Shingle Mill Site

32. Brackett’s Shingle Mill Site

33. Lovell Lake Dam Site1805 Cook Map

34. Lovell Lake Dam Site

35. Sanborn Mill SiteJohn W. Sanborn (1822-1903)Merrill 1889:521

36. Sanborn Sawmill Site1870 & 1880 Products of IndustrySanborn Mills(US Federal Census Bureau 1870 &1880)

37. Sanborn Sawmill Site

38. Sanborn Sawmill Site

39. Sanborn Saw Mill Wood Dam

40. Sanborn Grist Mill SiteDam Foundation

41. Marsh Road Site

42. Union Meadows Dam Site

43. Great East Lake SiteGreat Falls Manufacturing CompanyNewichawannock Canal

44. Newichawannock Canal mill stones capping canal walls

45. Great East Lake SiteDry laid stone feature, possible mill building location

46. Great East Lake Site Stone Arch Bridge

47. Horn Pond Sawmill Site

48. Horn Pond Sawmill SiteHorn Dam

49. Horn Pond Mill Site Horn Mill Canal

50. Horn Pond Mill Site Mill Foundations

51. Wiggin Saw Mill Site

52. Wiggin Saw Mill Site

53. Drew Mill Dam