At left is a turn-of-the-century view up river from Bridge Street showing the Dana Warp Mill buildings. Building on the left is located on the island at the end of Dana Street and was built in 1876 by George Warren as a woolen mill. Woodbury K. Dana purchased the building in 1879 after the mill went out of business. This building became the Dana Warp Mill and in 1900 Dana purchased the brick building across the river on Bridge Street to expand his business. The brick building was built in 1881 by the Westbrook Manufacturing Co. to expand its company, which was located on Bridge Street at Dana Court.

Westbrook Manufacturing Co. closed after the damaging flood of 1896 and the brick building was purchased by the S.D. Warren Co., which sold the building to Dana. A steel bridge was built over the river to connect both buildings. Dana expanded the brick mill several times and eventually closed the island mill and the bridge was removed. The island mill was used in later years by Yudy’s Tire Co. as a warehouse. It was closed and demolished in the early 1980s. Dana Warp Mill closed in the late 1950. The building now is owned by Flannery Properties and is occupied by numerous businesses.

Research and photos courtesy of Mike Sanphy