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Piersons Mill

August 29, 2017 by

Year Listed: 2000
Status: Saved
City: Maplewood
County: Essex

Additional Features:


UPDATES:
4/00 Garden State Press report that Architect Mark Carelli, Maplewood resident, and partners signed contract to purchase and pledge to preserve exterior appearance; contingent upon approval of property subdivisions to expand space around mill; plans for mill to become architect’s office and rental; garden center area rented; shed and barn at rear as garden center; plan to resell the house; new uses will require variance; closing scheduled for 10/00

Local architect purchased the property and conducted a rehabilitation of the building, which retained the footprint of the original. It now accommodates businesses including a realtor’s office & a garden center.

DESCRIPTION:
Built in 1830 by Lewis Pierson, the Pierson Mill remained in operation for 170 years before the Pierson family finally had to close its doors. Mr. Pierson began the mill by building a 300-foot dam across the Rahway River to flood fifteen acres of the property. The dam generated enough power to run the turbines of a three-story gristmill. The mill was built using wood from the property, with enormous beams and posts. When electricity had replaced water power, the “pond” became a popular spot for people to ice skate, until it was drained several years later when the land was sold and became the Maplewood Country Club. The mill building itself always remained in operation, as it became a full-service garden center, but it was finally forced to close its doors as it was essentially run out of business by major garden “superstores.”

2 1/2 acres mill complex includes c. 1830 three story grist mill ( 1930s addition and interior renovation after fire) and c.1840 Greek Revival style mill house “Vaux Hall”
1830 Lewis Pierson dammed east branch of Rahway River
1916 mill pond drained; surrounding land became country club; mill became garden center
Site’s transformation parallels town’s development from rural to commuter community
Site now for sale; small business threatened by changes in the economy (retailing?)

CONTACT:
Ginny Kurshan, Maplewood Historic Preservation Commission
973-762-1441
vjkurshan@yahoo.com

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