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1711 MILLSTONES FOUND IN CONN

mccozro

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
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37
Location
Ffld County Conn
historic find
GENEVIEVE REILLY [email protected]




   
   

FAIRFIELD ? Building a new bridge has unearthed a relic.
Reconstruction of the Tide Mill Bridge in the Southport section of town has uncovered one of two millstones used in the days when there was a working grain mill at the site.

"It's a pleasant surprise," Public Works Director Richard White said. "Usually we dig and find things like heavy metals or oil."

The millstone was uncovered last week as the contractor for the bridge, New England Road of Clinton, dug up old asphalt near the mill building that, like the span, straddles the Mill River at the north end of Southport Harbor.

"The sluiceway went right under the bridge," said Dr. William Kueffner, who lives in the building, which also houses some offices.

Though it is not known how old the millstones are, the building has stood at the site since 1712.

The mill was in operation until 1911, after which the building was converted into the Tide Mill Tavern.

The mill's water wheel stands inside




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the building's foyer. Flowing water operated the wheel to power the millstones as they ground grain.
The millstone was unearthed at the entrance to what is now the office of architect Jack Franzen.

"We think the other one may be under the floor in our reception area," Franzen said. "You can see a round shape" in the floor.

Kueffner said the millstone was scraped up a bit by the excavator, but otherwise appears to be unharmed.

The plan, he said, is to leave the millstone in the same area, but raise it up a bit and incorporate it into the sidewalk for the new bridge.

The bridge is expected to reopen this month.

The $3 million project will be reimbursed by state and federal grants.

Genevieve Reilly, who covers regional news, can be reached at 330-6256.

   

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