The Haskell Silk Co. was established in 1874 by Frank Haskell. The business was started in a wooden mill building located on Bridge Street next to the bridge. This building was only 50-by-50 feet in size, though it was enlarged several times to meet the demands of the fast-growing company. As more space was needed, the company was forced to look for a larger building. It purchased the 65-acre KingfFarm, which was located on the north side of the river just above the Dana Warp Mills. A two-story, 55-by-300-foot brick mill was constructed, along with a 100-by-60-foot dye house and a large office building. The business closed in 1933. The left photo shows the expanded mill just prior to the company relocating to the new building.This old mill was eventually demolished and a three-story brick building with stores on the first floor and apartments on the upper floors stood on the site for many years. A parking lot behind the Portland Pie Co. (Warren Furniture building) now occupies the site.

Research and photos courtesy of Mike Sanphy