Mill Village
This photo was taken at the boat landing at the base of Highland Lake looking east along Route 123N. Note the bridge between Dead Brook and Highland Lake, c. 1970
Mill Village has always been an important part of Stoddard. What attracted early settlers to Mill Village was the abundance of water power from the early dam that was placed at these narrows exiting present-day Highland Lake.
Gould writes extensively about Mill Village in his 1774-1854 History of Stoddard. "Stoddard was never much celebrated for the elegance of the mills. The first grist mill was built by Silas Wright, afterwards known as Major Wright, in what is called Mill Village. Silas Wright, from Westford, came to town quite early (Lot 15 Range 7), the precise time is not known. He was in town in 1774 and was one of the first board of selectmen, and was the first captain of a militia company. Wright built mills (finished Aug 1771) at the Mill Village and the first in town. He also carried on a tanning business for many years. “It has undergone many repairs and been several times rebuilt and owned by many different individuals; and is still the only one in town. It is owned by Israel F. Towne" (Gould, p. 36).
Mill Village was also an early place for making glass bottles. Gould notes that “Gilman Scripture, John M. Whiton, Jr. and Calvin Curtice built a large factory for making bottles atMill Village in 1846, and were doing a profitable business”. They are making annually about 2500 dollars worth of bottles of various sizes and descriptions.
There were also early tanneries at Mill Village. Two were owned by Ferdinand O. Cutter and Gardner Towne, Esq.
This is an early photograph of the bridge across the outlet from Highland Lake. Note the wooden dam for Highland Lake behind the bridge. This is approximately in the same location as the present-day Shed Hill bridge. c. late 1800s.
This photo was taken after a 1938 flood, looking west. Stewart Store (present day Eaton home) and the bridge on the right.