Salmon Falls Village Rollinsford, New Hampshire

salmon falls mfg. co. in 1906

the village of salmon falls founded in 1823 group of local investors led james rundlet of portsmouth, on june 17, 1822 incorporated salmon falls manufacturing company manufacture woolen cloth using power of salmon falls river, piscataqua river tributary. after 1834 fire destroyed first factory built there, company s portsmouth-based investors built new factory cotton manufacturing, selling corporation boston-based cotton broker mason , lawrence in 1840s. part of expansion, town laid out in easy-to-navigate grid plan, three-story boarding houses , adjoining mill building made of brick withstand fires. two-story brick double houses built accommodate families of overseers. town thrived first decades of 20th century , became home many immigrant families forebears came work in mills. ironically, though town planners forbade mill workers drink alcohol , required attend church on sunday, during prohibition, proximity temperate maine , boston & maine railroad line led establishment of numerous bars , relatively short-lived racy reputation free-flowing liquor.

the new england cotton industry fade in mid-20th century, leave brick town intact. today, mills have been reborn low-cost studio space more 100 artists , artisans use converted studios painting, sculpting , crafting handmade furniture teaching , practicing yoga , dance.