Middlebury Falls and Ruins

Don Shall 11y
• Deborah Lundbech :: simply wow, this shot is terrific, I've never seen it before. This was taken during a relatively brief window: after the fire (1891) and before the top floor walls were removed, and moved across the street to become the foundation for the Battell Block (1892). ∞ Battell Commercial Block (1892-98)

Deborah Lundbech 11y
Glad you liked it! And that's very interesting about the stones being used for the Battell Block - also, the ability to so closely date the photo.
My photo is from a series found in a barn in Middlebury (See my Jessie's Barn photos set.)
I don't think these photographs had been seen by anyone for a VERY long time.
There are a couple more landscapes in the collection. There is a seeming connection with Middlebury College and I wonder if this photos, and a few others, were taken for a photography course?

Don Shall 11y
• Deborah Lundbech :: What also interests me about your find is that the Battell Bridge (1892) is finished, and the ruins of the Cotton Mill are yet to be pulled down. The fire that destroyed the heart of the town also burned the old, lower to the water wooden bridge. Prosperous local citizen Joseph Battell offered to pay half the cost of the new bridge if the town would agree to build it of fire-proof cut stone, and raise its height to level with the town (UP over a dozen feet).

As for a Middlebury College connection, it's worth looking into. I'm certain Hans Raum, Director of the Vermont Collection at the college library, would be both interested and helpful. If you haven't already contacted Jan Albers at the Sheldon Museum in Middlebury, I recommend you do, for another welcoming and enthusiastic historian.

Deborah Lundbech 11y
Perhaps the photo was taken immediately prior to the pull down? Again, very interesting.
Thanks for your suggestion about Hans and Jan Albers. I'll talk to Jessie about it - as she is still the owner of these photos.

Don Shall 11y
• Deborah Lundbech :: Check out this before shot from the Digital Collections of Middlebury College, of the Mill (ca.1850s). And this after shot, from a different angle that yours.