Today, when you visit Vermont’s Harriman Reservoir, you’re actually standing above Mountain Mills, a ghost town submerged 200 feet underwater since 1924. This once-bustling logging settlement, established in the early 1900s, harvested 300 million feet of timber and featured a hospital, post office, and extensive railroad network. The town vanished when New England Power built a hydroelectric dam, forcing residents to relocate. The depths below hold countless stories of this lost community.
Key Takeaways
- Mountain Mills was a thriving logging settlement in Vermont that was submerged beneath Harriman Reservoir in 1923 during hydroelectric dam construction.
- The town featured a bustling railroad station, hospital, post office, and general store serving its diverse logging community.
- The Deerfield River Railroad operated a 41-mile network through Mountain Mills, transporting timber until the town’s flooding.
- Catastrophic flooding in 1927 caused permanent displacement of residents and extensive damage to remaining infrastructure.
- Historical remnants, including stone walls, bridge fragments, and artifacts, are occasionally visible beneath the reservoir’s waters.
The Birth of a Logging Town
As the demand for timber resources surged in the early 1900s, Mountain Mills emerged along Vermont’s Deerfield River as a bustling logging settlement.
You’d find a diverse workforce of French Canadians, Abenaki, Irish, and French immigrants applying their logging techniques to harvest the valuable old-growth spruce forests in the southern Green Mountains region. The extensive operation yielded 300 million feet of valuable spruce and hardwood timber.
The settlement quickly grew into a thriving community with a railroad station to facilitate timber transportation.
Railroad and Timber Operations
While the Deerfield River Railroad began as a humble logging enterprise in 1914, it quickly evolved into a sophisticated 41-mile network that would transform Mountain Mills’ timber industry.
You’d find innovative railroad technology throughout the system, including carefully engineered switchbacks that kept grades under six percent as tracks carved through Lye Brook Hollow’s steep terrain.
The Rich Lumber Company‘s operations relied on this railway for timber transportation, moving massive quantities of spruce logs from East Mountain’s old-growth forests to the sawmills at Mountain Mills.
Though they’d mistakenly estimated 12,000 acres of available timber, finding only 7,500, the railroad’s efficiency helped maximize their harvest.
Originally established as a narrow gauge railroad in 1892, the line played a crucial role in the region’s development.
With essential facilities like water towers, boarding houses, and even a six-bed hospital, the railroad supported Mountain Mills’ brief but intense logging boom until 1921.
By 1923, the railroad’s entire operational base was submerged under Harriman Reservoir, marking the end of an era in Vermont’s logging history.
Daily Life in Mountain Mills
Life in Mountain Mills centered around the demanding rhythms of its logging operations, where residents inhabited row houses and boarding facilities near the bustling sawmill.
You’d find your daily routines shaped by seasonal logging demands, with the six-bed hospital, post office, and general store serving as pillars of community life. The area’s three sawmills drove the local economy and employment. While working the timber industry consumed much of your time, you’d also tend small gardens in the fertile valley soil to supplement your provisions.
Community interactions unfolded at common gathering spots like the general store and boarding houses. You’d collect mail at the post office, fetch water from the town’s water tower, and rely on the railroad station for essential supplies. By 1923, the town faced a devastating transformation as flood waters from the hydroelectric project forced residents to abandon their homes.
Daily life revolved around Mountain Mills’ central hubs – the general store, post office and railroad depot served everyone’s basic needs.
Behind these routine activities lay complex social dynamics, occasionally marked by notable events including a shocking criminal case that rocked the close-knit community.
The Rise of Hydroelectric Power
You’ll find the origins of Mountain Mills’ hydroelectric era in 1923, when New England Power began constructing a dam on the Deerfield River.
The project’s completion would permanently alter the region, submerging the town and requiring the relocation of three cemeteries along with the discontinuation of 14 miles of highways. Vermont’s commitment to hydropower continues today with 78 hydro power dams operating across the state. Among Vermont’s notable facilities, North Hartland Dam produces 4 megawatts of power for regional utilities.
The dam’s construction marked a significant shift from the area’s logging heritage to modern power generation, utilizing the same river that once transported old-growth spruce logs to downstream sawmills.
Dam Construction Begins
The ambitious New England Power Company launched its transformative hydroelectric project along the Deerfield River in 1922, marking the beginning of Mountain Mills’ dramatic transformation.
You’ll find that major dam engineering efforts quickly reshaped the landscape, as crews constructed a massive structure that would create what became Vermont’s largest man-made lake, the Harriman Reservoir.
The community relocation proved swift and absolute. Within just over a year, you’d have witnessed the complete flooding of Mountain Mills, as rising waters forced residents to abandon their homes and businesses.
The project’s scope required extensive infrastructure changes – workers relocated three cemeteries and discontinued 14 miles of highways. The dam would become an integral part of a 41 MW capacity peaking facility.
When the reservoir’s water levels occasionally drop today, you can still glimpse the haunting foundations of the submerged town below.
By 1924, this development became the largest hydroelectric facility east of Niagara Falls.
Impact on Local Communities
While hydroelectric power transformed Mountain Mills’ physical landscape, its impact on local communities extended far beyond the flooded valley.
You’ll find that the plant generated between 1.6-2 million kWh annually, yet community resilience was tested by fixed low-rate utility contracts around 4 cents/kWh, limiting the town’s economic sustainability.
The dam created jobs in maintenance and operations, though fewer than you’d expect.
While private owners could count on steady income streams, regulatory constraints and costly renovations often required community partnerships to maintain the historic infrastructure.
You’ll see evidence of the town’s industrial heritage in the preserved mill buildings, which became symbols of local pride.
The hydroelectric facility improved grid stability but sparked ongoing debates about environmental impacts and the fair distribution of economic benefits.
Power Generation Legacy
Mountain Mills’ transformation into a hydroelectric powerhouse began in 1923 when New England Power Company completed construction of what would become Harriman Reservoir.
You’ll find this development marked a pivotal moment in Vermont’s hydropower history, as Harriman Station became the largest hydroelectric facility east of Niagara Falls upon its completion in 1924.
The energy transformation didn’t just reshape Mountain Mills – it revolutionized Vermont’s entire power landscape.
The facility’s impressive 12,812-foot bedrock tunnel and extensive reservoir system showcased the era’s engineering prowess.
Today, you can see how this early investment in hydropower helped establish Vermont’s reputation for renewable energy leadership.
The project’s success paved the way for additional developments along the Deerfield River, creating a robust hydroelectric network that continues to power Vermont’s communities without relying on fossil fuels.
Natural Disasters and Community Impact
During the catastrophic flood of November 1927, Vermont’s deadliest natural disaster unfolded as seven inches of rain fell within six hours, devastating Mountain Mills and numerous other communities across the state.
You’d have witnessed unprecedented destruction as saturated soils from October’s heavy rains caused immediate runoff, sending rivers 13 feet above normal depths. The disaster claimed 84 lives and wreaked havoc on infrastructure, destroying 1,285 bridges and devastating transportation networks across northern New England.
Mountain Mills’ residents faced permanent displacement as floodwaters combined with a hydroelectric project to submerge their town completely. Despite efforts at disaster recovery, the community’s resilience couldn’t prevent their hometown from becoming a ghost town beneath the Harriman Reservoir’s waters.
Lost Buildings and Infrastructure
If you’d traveled to Mountain Mills in 1912, you would’ve found a bustling railroad station complex that managed timber transport across a 41-mile network accessing over 300 million feet of timber.
Workers could find lodging at the town’s boarding house, which provided essential accommodation for the logging community’s labor force.
The settlement’s water tower stood as a vital piece of infrastructure, though today you’ll only find its remnants occasionally visible beneath the waters that submerged the town in the 1920s.
Railroad Station Complex
The bustling railroad station complex of Mountain Mills underwent numerous transformations throughout its history, beginning with separate passenger and freight depots positioned adjacent to the mill buildings.
You’ll find that railroad architecture evolved markedly after fires destroyed both original structures – the freight depot burned in 1871 and the passenger depot in 1889. The rebuilt passenger station, completed in 1891, stood on the west side near Seymour Street until 1912, when it moved east to accommodate the new underpass construction.
Freight operations centered around a specialized siding designed for massive marble blocks, complete with an overhead crane system linking to the sawing mills.
The complex later unified its passenger and freight facilities before eventually transforming into retail space, marking the end of its railroad era.
Boarding House Operations
Among Mountain Mills’ most socially significant structures, boarding houses emerged in the early 20th century as essential infrastructure supporting the town’s industrial workforce.
You’ll find these buildings operated under strict boarding house management, primarily housing young female workers in their teens and twenties. The system emphasized communal living with shared dining halls, kitchens, and recreation spaces, all under the watchful eye of female managers who enforced curfews and maintained order.
Originally built near the mill for convenience, the boarding house served as both living quarters and social hub for workers displaced from rural homes.
Water Tower Remnants
Standing amid crumbling brick and stone ruins, Mountain Mills’ historic water tower represents a fascinating example of early 20th-century industrial engineering.
You’ll find an innovative gravity-fed system that once channeled river water through an intake pipe at the tower’s summit, powering a turbine below. By 1930, this turbine had evolved from providing mechanical power to generating electricity for the mill.
The water tower’s structural integrity has deteriorated considerably since the town’s flooding in the 1920s by the New England Power Company’s hydroelectric project.
While most of Mountain Mills lies submerged beneath the reservoir, you can still explore these hazardous ruins surrounding the wetlands.
The tower’s remains, complete with its complex network of pipes and tunnels, offer a glimpse into Vermont’s industrial past.
The Ghost Town Beneath the Water
Once a bustling logging settlement in Vermont, Mountain Mills now rests beneath the dark waters of Harriman Reservoir, submerged during a massive hydroelectric project in 1922-23.
The town’s submerged memories include a railroad station, general store, post office, and six-bed hospital – all sacrificed for industrial progress.
You’ll find haunting stories of the town’s final days, as residents rushed to evacuate before the flood waters claimed their homes.
When the reservoir’s water level drops, you can glimpse the town’s skeletal remains: a rusted iron bridge, old sawmill foundations, and forgotten cellar holes.
Nearby, the solitary Almeran Goodell farmhouse stands as a silent witness to the community that once thrived here, while divers occasionally document the underwater ruins of this lost Vermont settlement.
Preserving Mountain Mills’ Legacy
While Mountain Mills lies submerged beneath Harriman Reservoir’s waters, dedicated preservation efforts maintain its story won’t fade into obscurity.
You’ll find Vermont’s preservation network, including the Division for Historic Preservation and local historical societies, working tirelessly to document and protect what remains of the state’s industrial heritage.
Community initiatives face unique preservation challenges at Mountain Mills. The site’s underwater location requires specialized documentation methods, while Vermont’s harsh weather continues to impact surviving artifacts and structures along the shoreline.
Preservationists battle dual challenges at Mountain Mills: documenting an underwater town while protecting shoreline remnants from Vermont’s extreme elements.
Despite these obstacles, you can explore the town’s legacy through interpretive displays and educational programs. The Preservation Trust of Vermont partners with local groups to maintain historical records, secure preservation grants, and uphold that Mountain Mills’ contribution to Vermont’s industrial past remains accessible for future generations.
Historical Artifacts and Discoveries
Four distinct categories of artifacts tell Mountain Mills’ story: cemetery remnants, structural foundations, everyday tools, and sawmill relics.
You’ll find the Ricker family headstones remarkably preserved, their cemetery symbolism offering glimpses into past tragedies, including a notorious murder case at Mutton Hollow.
Stone foundations mark former homesteads, with Almeran Goodell’s farmhouse standing as the sole surviving structure.
Through artifact preservation efforts, you’ll discover tools and everyday items thoughtfully arranged by hikers near cellar holes and against trees, creating makeshift displays of rural life.
The scattered remnants of sawmills and timber processing equipment reveal the community’s industrial evolution, while stone walls stretching along Hedgehog Hill Trail remind you of the settlers’ boundless determination to tame this wilderness.
Exploring the Ruins Today
Today, Mountain Mills’ haunting ruins beckon visitors through the winding paths of Little River State Park, where the Dalley Loop Trail serves as your primary gateway to this preserved slice of Vermont’s past.
As you explore the forested terrain, you’ll discover the last standing Almeron Goodell farmhouse, weathered but still accessible, alongside scattered foundations and cellar holes that mark where other structures once stood.
During your ruins exploration, you’ll encounter historical remnants like old stone walls, bridge fragments, and sawmill remains.
You might spot artifacts like glass bottles and farming tools left by previous residents, often arranged by fellow hikers near cellar holes.
The experience is both desolate and enthralling, offering a unique blend of outdoor adventure and historical discovery amid the encroaching forest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were There Any Reported Crimes or Murders in Mountain Mills?
Call it a clean slate – you won’t find any documented crime history or unsolved mysteries in Mountain Mills’ records. The town’s story ended quietly when floods submerged it in 1923.
What Indigenous Peoples Lived in the Area Before Mountain Mills?
You’ll find the Western Abenaki tribes were the primary inhabitants of this region, leaving historical artifacts along waterways and valleys. Their ancestors had occupied the land for thousands of years.
How Many Families Chose to Stay After the Dam Construction?
You won’t find records of any families staying after the dam’s impact – historical evidence shows the rising waters forced complete evacuation, with the last residents leaving by 1923 as floodwaters claimed their homes.
What Happened to the Town’s Original Cemetery During Relocation?
You’ll find the cemetery relocation involved moving headstones to nearby knolls, though historical preservation was limited – many remains stayed in place, becoming submerged when Lake Whitingham’s waters rose over them.
Did Any Businesses From Mountain Mills Relocate to Nearby Towns?
Picture a fading business legacy: you won’t find clear evidence of Mountain Mills companies relocating intact. While some workers likely joined other logging operations, no direct economic impact through business transplants can be confirmed.
References
- https://www.vermonter.com/ricker-basin-vermont-ghost-town/
- https://obscurevermont.com/tag/ricker-mills/
- http://blog.thewilmingtoninn.com/2020/05/may-blog-history-of-lake-whitingham.html
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/ricker-basin
- https://wilmingtonhistoricalsociety.com/Newsletter2024.pdf
- https://northernwoodlands.org/blog/article/a_reservoir_of_history
- https://www.greenmountainclub.org/vermonts-original-rail-to-trail-the-long-trail-and-logging-railroads/
- https://www.moover.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/HistoryofMillStreet.pdf
- https://vermonthistory.org/journal/misc/500Miles.pdf
- https://www.vizettes.com/kt/rr/htw/index.htm
