Picture Vernon: A Mill That Was Ahead Of Its Time

VERNON, CT — The latest edition of the Picture Vernon series takes us back to the Victorian Era heyday of the Rockville mills.

Pictured is Springville Mill, shortly after the new and improved version was constructed, circa 1986.

In a 1821 a two-story wood framed mill building was built on the property at 155 West main Street, according to Vernon Historical Society archives. The mill featured a water wheel and manufactured satinets, according to the archives.

In 1886, the mill was acquired by Rockville industrial giants George Maxwell and George Sykes and replaced with a four-story brick building that churned out fine worsted wool, according tp the archives. The "new" mill featured large windows, gas and electric lighting and automatic sprinklers, way ahead of its time, according to the archives.

Today, the building houses apartments.

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Picture Vernon is a periodic series featuring images of the town, past and present.