Nashoba Brook Pencil Factory Site

The Nashoba Brook Pencil Factory Site is an industrial archaeological location in Acton containing remnants from a 19th-century production facility. The ruins include a dam structure, millstones, and various mechanical components distributed along the waterway.

Pencil manufacturing started in this region when local producers began using water power to mechanize their production process. The facility developed into a significant hub of early American pencil manufacturing during the 1800s.

The factory shows how local craftspeople harnessed water power to make pencils for markets across the young nation. You can observe how the work building once fit into the landscape along the brook.

The site is accessible via marked trails from the Davis Road parking area within the conservation area. Walking paths are generally easy to navigate, and visits work best during spring and fall when vegetation is less dense.

The factory was one of the first works to produce pencils through mechanized methods using water power in America. These innovations in harnessing water for industry later influenced how other manufacturers in the region organized their operations.

Location: Massachusetts

GPS coordinates: 42.50556,-71.41278

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:40