Cottonwood Paper Mill, Stone industrial building in Cottonwood Heights, Utah.
Cottonwood Paper Mill is a granite structure positioned at the entrance to Big Cottonwood Canyon with tall walls and numerous window openings across three floors. The building displays typical late-1800s industrial architecture with heavy load-bearing walls and clearly defined functional sections.
Constructed in 1883 by architect Henry Grow for the Deseret News Corporation, the mill operated until an 1893 fire ended its paper production from local timber and recycled textiles. This fire marked a turning point that would eventually lead to its conversion into a social venue.
After converting to the Old Mill Club in 1927, the building hosted regular dances and social events that drew people from surrounding communities through the 1940s.
The building has been closed to visitors since its condemnation in 2005, with security measures preventing unauthorized entry. However, its prominent location at the canyon entrance allows visitors to view the structure and its architectural features from the road.
During the 1893 fire, many residents thought the alarm was an April Fools' Day prank and did not respond, allowing the flames to spread unchecked through the structure. This misunderstanding at such a critical moment reveals an unexpected human element in the building's dramatic final day of operation.
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