Sanford Mills Historic District

Sanford Mills Historic District is an industrial site with fourteen historic buildings of wood, brick, and concrete positioned along the Mousam River. The structures form a connected complex showing different phases of manufacturing development.

This site began in 1867 when Thomas Goodall founded a factory to make mohair fabrics, employing many workers for decades. Production halted in 1955 after the Burlington Mills Corporation shut down operations.

The mill buildings reflect changing construction methods across generations, showing how production needs shaped the workspace. The layout along the river reveals the central role water power played in organizing daily factory work.

The site covers about 7.5 acres bounded by Washington Street, Weaver Drive, Emery Street, and Pioneer Avenue. Starting from the river and moving through the buildings in a logical way helps visitors see the layout and understand how spaces connected.

The Mousam River powered mills since the 18th century, beginning with grain grinding and lumber sawing long before textiles arrived. This riverside site represents just one chapter in a much longer story of water-powered work.

Location: Sanford

GPS coordinates: 43.44000,-70.77139

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:01