Indian Orchard Canal was built in 1846 in Springfield Massachusetts. It is 1400 feet long and 8 feet deep. It ranges from 60 to 80 feet wide since at its start it needs to draw in a lot of water but at its end much of the water has been released into tunnels below the mills. The walls are of brownstone.
The design to build it had been set in motion in 1837 as the Indian Orchard Canal Company. The construction was by Charles McClallan who did the Holyoke Canal and both Chicopee Canals. He built the Indian Orchard Dam and Gatehouse at the entrance to the canal. The dam is to divert water into the Indian Orchard Canal. It is made of brownstone. Its dimensions are 20 feet high and 402 feet long. The gatehouse has 7 gates and lifts them via rack and pinion.
The first mill was not until 1854 so canal water was not used until then.
MILLS
Ward Manufacturing Mill – 1854 to 1859 cotton mill
Indian Orchard Mills Company – 1859 to 1890 cotton mill – made a mill 2
Indian Orchard Company – 1890 to 1938
United Electric Light Company – 1897
Lillie Company Mill – 1890 cotton and wool mill
Mill Workers Homes
Hampden Street – 1850s eight cottages for the foremen of the mills – between Oak and Myrtle
Worcester Street at corner with Chestnut – 1859 four cottage homes
Water Street and Centre Street – many homes for mill workers
Hampden St at the corner of Holly 1905
Link to the retail page of the Indian Orchard Mills.
Sanborn map analysis:
Tour Route from west to east:
Gatehouse for the canal
