Another business building that was part of the early history of Kezar Falls Village is the former Kezar Falls Woolen Mill. It is located at the end of the bridge on the Parsonsfield side of the river. Except for the 2 story brick building at the end of the canal, the buildings are mostly vacant. The brick building is now owned and occupied by Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, a hydroelectric company. The rest of the many
buildings that once comprised the woolen mill are now owned by Kezar Falls Millwork, LLC (the Mounce family).

The brick building at the end of the canal is at 10 Federal Road.
The driveway to the right is one entrance to the mill building complex behind the Stanley Building.

At the close of the Civil War, business in this area was depressed and many of the younger men found it necessary to move away to find employment. A few leading business men grasped the situation and saw the necessity for a united effort for the future benefit of the area.

A small saw mill was built here but was unsuccessful and abandoned. The site was purchased by a syndicate of local business men and a new mill was opened on Oct. 20, 1865. John Devereux purchased this mill and privilege and continued to operate it until the establishment of the Kezar Falls Woolen Company in 1880/81. He also built a new grist mill that operated until about 1906 and in 1878 Jerry Merrifield built a bobbin
factory next to the grist mill. Merrifield eventually purchased the grist mill and converted it into an addition for their bobbin factory.

The first woolen mill building in 1880

In 1880 George W. Towle, Elijah Fox and John Devereux saw the manufacturing possibilities of the Ossipee River here and organized the Kezar Falls Manufacturing Company and built the original woolen mill building. After a difficult start, Allen Garner, of Lewiston, was engaged as agent to superintend the setting up of machinery and to
run production of the new mill operation. He had a great deal of experience in the woolen mill business, learning it from an early age in England. The success of the mill was due largely to his shrewd judgement, excellent leadership and untiring efforts. The first yard of cloth was woven in July 1881. The first operation was powered by a
large waterwheel. It was converted to steam in 1893.

The woolen mill prospered and provided employment for many men and women from the surrounding area. Local citizens who had made their living from farming left the farms to work here. The mill became a critical part of the growth of the village and surrounding area.

The mill expansion under construction in 1886.

The mill expanded and added other buildings several times over the years. In 1886 an addition was built the width of the original building, three stories high and 40 feet long extending toward the saw mill. A brick wall was built at the west end for fire protection. In 1887 an Edison dynamo for incandescent lighting was added to light the mill, Towle’s store, the Garner and Devereux residences, and the covered bridge. A 60 foot addition was built in 1902. The mill was enlarged again in 1923 and further modernized and improved.

In 1905 Allen Garner, William Garner and Dr. Frank Devereux purchased all of the outstanding stock of the old company, reorganized it, and incorporated the Kezar Falls Woolen Company.

In 1923 a large extension with steel girders and concrete construction was added. Low cost housing was also built nearby for mill employees. Erection of new buildings continued, from time to time, and extra equipment installed. In 1931 the plant was up to date in every detail with sixty looms and modern equipment. When running fulltime about 175 men and women were employed. The mill played an important part during both World War I and World War II weaving material for military uniforms both here and abroad. Employment reached a peak during WW II with 240 employees.

The mill at the height of its operations in the 1950’s.

The company was sold to Robinson Manufacturing Company in 1961. It was sold to Stafford Company in 1965 and when they went bankrupt it was repurchased by the Robinson family in 1972. It remained in operation until 2000 when the Kezar Falls Division was closed down and its work moved to the Oxford plant. The Robinson mills were closed in 2003 and the town of Parsonsfield foreclosed on the property for delinquent taxes.

The town continued to own the property until about 2023 when it was purchased by the Mounce family who want to repurpose and develop it to make it a viable part of the community once again.