Once Abandoned And Left To Decay, Monadnock Mills In New Hampshire Has Been Restored To Its Former Glory

New Hampshire, like much of New England, is dotted with old mill towns. Wherever there was a river, manufacturing sprang up beside it. Many old mills still sit idle to this day, decaying over time. Others are repurposed and given new life. One example is this historic mill complex in Claremont.

Monadnock Mills occupies the banks of the Sugar River in Claremont. The mill buildings are what's left of the largest and one of the oldest manufacturing complexes in the upper Connecticut River Valley.

An early postcard view of the mill depicts how it appeared in 1910.

Monadnock Mills began as The Sugar River Manufacturing Company in 1831. It was established to manufacture cotton and woolen textiles. It took on the "Monadnock Mills" name in 1846 and operated until 1963.

In 1979, the mills were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the most complete and well-preserved mill complexes in the state.

After decades of decay and abandonment, the complex was restored by ReArch Company. It now houses a restaurant, businesses, and office space.

The restoration project has garnered several awards for historic preservation, excellence in architectural design, and sustainability.

The Monadnock Mills complex is located at 21 Water Street in Claremont, New Hampshire.

New Hampshire's manufacturing era is only one chapter of the state's history. Look back at 12 scenes from the early 1900s, learn about one of the worst train wrecks in the Granite State, or hearken back to what life was like here in the 1940s.