The State of Ruin

Taking a short walk through the Hannacroix Creek Preserve leads hikers to the rocky Hannacroix Creek just West of the Hudson River. On my visit, it was being utilized for swimming and scenic dog- walking, but a century ago this waterway was bustling with industry. Harnessing the natural power of water, these mills were the start of many settlements in the area.

Built in the early 19^th century, the Croswell Parsons Paper Mill was converted from a grist and saw mill into a fully functioning paper mill by 1826. At that time, paper was being made with cotton rags or straw, and ultimately conditioned until the final product was formed. The mill produced paper until about 1897, when a dam, which limited the stable supply of running water, was created on the Hannacroix.

The site, today, consists predominantly of a large foundation wall, formerly the west wall of the main structure. According to the National Register of Historic Places documentation, the site also consists of “the remains of a 26 by 36 foot main building, which contained the creek side wheel pit, a 20 by 47 foot north wing, and a 16 by 27 foot south wing. The remnant of the steam and machinery boiler chimney is situated at the northeast corner of the main block of the mill. A secondary chimney ruin is situated at the northeast corner of the north wing.” While visiting, the west foundation wall is most evident; there are scattered bricks and debris still in the area.

The mill was placed on the New York State and National Register of Historic Places in 2008. The site is part of the Hannacroix Creek Preserve, run by the The New Baltimore Conservancy.

Sources:

Photo 1: Author photograph, Winter 2018

Photo 2: Author photograph, July 2019.

Photo 2: “Field of Reams: The Hannacorix Creek Paper Mills” by Chuck Friday, 3rd Edition, Revised 2009. Excellent resource for learning more about the mills on the Hannacroix Creek and paper making in general.

Photo 3: “Field of Reams”

Photo 4: Circa 2008. National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, New York SP Croswell–Parsons Paper Mill Ruin, 75317940, Photo 1. See NRHP paperwork for more history, pictures, and maps of the site.