Title:
Red Mill on Browns River, Route 15
- Date:
- 2000-05-01
- Description:
- The new photograph shows the trees near a grassy lawn at the present day site of the Old Red Mill. There is a bird feeder in the lawn. A forested riparian zone now obscures the view of the Old Red Mill. Todd Levin, a student at Mount Mansfield Union High School wrote the following commentary about the photographs. The Old Red Mill has been a historic landmark in Jericho for over a hundred years. The construction long ago had an impact on the surrounding landscape that is clearly shown. The influence of humans in this area continued up to the present day and will continue for years to come. The Browns River runs near it, supplying the energy for the mill while it was in operation and supplying energy for the surrounding landscape to grow and flourish. In order to examine the influence of humans on the landscape, it is imperative to examine the changes the landscape has endured through the years. In the original photograph, taken in 1855, it is plain to see that the construction of the mill has thinned out the plants that should have been growing there. This deforestation was due to an increase in logging in the area and is evident through observations of the landscape in 1855. The mill was relatively new at that time and the effects on the landscape were just appearing in the surrounding environment. The landscape today is drastically different from that of 1855. The view of the mill has been obscured by trees and this is a change from the barren landscape of 1855. This reforestation is proof of the decrease in logging in the surrounding areas. The conservation of the area speaks to the sense of pride the town has for its environment and a piece of history. The development in the area surrounding the mill is very discouraging though. This development of businesses and houses around the river decreases the amount that nature can expand in this environment. This is very disturbing as the more we make inroads into the natural environment, the less the natural environment has to grow. It is habitat destruction, and does not allow for the natural world to expand to its natural limits. Overall the change in the area has been beneficial. The reforestation is a sign that the environment is recovering after being disturbed by the construction of the Red Mill. Little geological change has occurred other than the continual erosion of the banks of the Browns River. This erosion has been the result of a poor root system along the bank which was the result of the deforestation in the area. This is one of the ways that human influence has changed the face of the landscape. Another problem is the air pollution that is continually affecting the climate of the local area and the world as well. As more pollution makes it into the air, the effects of the Greenhouse Effect will change for the worse. This affects the amount of rainfall and climate of Vermont and the rate of erosion. This is one direct way that our lives are affecting the landscape. The higher the rate of erosion, the more the landscape will change. The Old Red Mill in Jericho is an important part of our town history and knowledge of how humans have influenced this part of history is important if we are to change our ways in the future. Hopefully, if we are sensitive to the ways we affect our environment, there will be some part of it left for future generations to enjoy.
- Filename:
- LS00006_001.jpg
- Size:
- 490 x 368 pixels; 58822 bytes
- Original Filename:
- 1929REDMILLNEWW.JPG
- GPS Location:
-
44.504400 N latitude, 72.998500 W longitude
- Keywords:
- Conifers; Deciduous; Forests and Plants; Grassland plants; Living Things; Nature; Plants; Season; Spring; Time; Trees;
- Source:
- Todd Levin
- Submitted By:
- none
- Submitted On:
- 2001-01-20
- Original Media:
- Photograph
- Times viewed:
- 11923
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Title:
Red Mill on Brown's River
- Date:
- 1855
- Description:
- The historic photograph shows the Old Red Mill along the shore of Brown's River soon after its construction. There is rock outcrop and alluvium along the banks of the river. There is also a pile of lumber at the bottom of an eroding hill slope in the lower right corner of the photograph. A garage is visible behind the mill on the right side of the photograph. There is an evergreen tree along the river in front of the mill, but most of the riparian zone in the photograph is bare. There are trees visible behind the mill. Esther Munroe Swift writes on 2005-2-9: Hamilton Child's Gazetteer & Business Directory for Chittenden County c.1883 says, "Jericho Grist & Flouring Mill on Brown's River was built about 25 years ago by James H. Hutchinson, who operated there about 8 years. Now called Jericho Mills it is owned & operated by L.B.& F. Howe." An advertisement for the mill shows that it produced flour, feed, corn meal, rye meal, and oat meal, as well as buckwheat, graham, and brown bread flour. It dealt both wholesale and retail, with about 20,000 bushels of western corn and 10,000 of wheat per year. The mill had four runs of stones and five employees in 1883. James H. Hutchinson, who built the mill, was listed by Childs as then being a lumberman and manufacturer of lumber, with 350 acres of farm land and 2,000 acres of mountain land. Childs also listed 15 different mills of various types on the many other rivers and streams in Jericho.
- Filename:
- LS00006_000.jpg
- Size:
- 1492 x 923 pixels; 651314 bytes
- Original Filename:
- 4 RED MILL.jpg
- GPS Location:
-
44.504400 N latitude, 72.998500 W longitude
- Keywords:
- Alluvium; Boulders; Buildings; Cities and towns; Conifers; Culture; Deciduous; Earth Materials; Forests and Plants; Garages; Geology; Human Constructs; Industrial buildings; Landforms; Landscapes; Living Things; Nature; Outbuildings; Outcrops (Geology); Plants; Quarry; Mills; Riparian plants; Rivers; Sediments (Geology); Trees;
- Source:
- Jericho Historical Society
- Submitted By:
- none
- Submitted On:
- 2001-01-20
- Original Media:
- Photograph
- Times viewed:
- 17033
|
