Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-12-15


rate history reaching back more than centu-
ry, is altogether unlike the growth of new
cities that spring up in nighttime at the
opening of railroad or the building of a
factory. review of the building operations
during the past season will show that while
no marked and surprising growth has been
made, decided progress has nevertheless
taken place in the building up of our city.
The number of new buildings erected is not
great, but with the putting up OF new ones
and the thorough repairing of those already
erected and which have gone through the pro-
cess of undermining, taking the money of
their owners from banks and bonds and in
vesting it in property that may be seen,-
the growth of our city has been steady. Al
though we have from time to time alluded to
the progress of building operations the past
season, it may not be inapprop pirate, now that
the season has closed, to review the work as
whole.
The most important work, viewed as to its
cost or the ultimate advantages which it ill
confer upon our city, is the large factory of
the A. & W. Sprague Manufacturing Com
pany. This building is PIP by "A feet, six
stories in height, and is connected with the
Old mill by new projection running out
from it, and the same height of the old mill.
The outside of the factory is all completed;
and at its rear is the large chimney of boil
er house to be built early in the spring. A
temporary winter structure. however, has
been built where it is to be orected and TIE
boilers, two in number, of large capacity, are
now being placed in position. These boilers
are to be used for heating both the old and
new factory, the latter being now nearly all
piped for the purpose. During the winter a
force of hauds will be constantly at work put
ting up shafting and getting in new machine
~. The new street west of the old canal has
been nearly completed, and when opened it
is the design of the company, we understand,
to give it to the city in lieu of that now occu-
pied east o. the mills. When that is discern
tinued, the land will De used as a factory
yard and for other purposes connected with
the works. 1t is also the intention of the
company to erect ut the rear OF the mills
new picker house. and gas house for furn-
ishing light to all the buildings at the dam,
which will form the eastern side of the new
street to the machine shop and other work.
situated above the factories. Looking across
the river one viii notice the improved appear
ance Of the large saw mill at the eastcrly end
of the dam, which has been rebuilt and is the
same as new. OF this mill we have hereto
fore spoken at lergth. South of it is now
erecting dry house, 100 by 40 feet, connect
ed with the mill by horserailwav. the upper
story of which may possibly be finished into
machine shop, The mill is leased by the
kennebec Land and Lumber Company, Ira
d. Sturgis, President. The first few months
operations have been wonderful, making the
remark of a casual observer quite suggestive
when IRA Sturgis comes over here and
scratches his head, the DIS to pay"
Below this mill. on the same side of the
river, and near the east end of the Railroad
bridge, is The car shop of Col. Thomas
Lambard 100 by 80 feet. This has been built
for the sole purpose Of setting mp the cars
made at the diff, rent departments of Mr..
Lambards works, where some thity- five
workmen are now employed 1t is the IT,
ten,ion of this nl"man. provided negota-
tons now in progress can be satisfactorily
effected, TO erect near this building, the COM
ing spring, number of buildings of similar
dim nsons, to lie devoted to the different
processes of the manufacturing of cars, which
during the past two or three years has formed
so large part of Mr.. Lambard's business.
Should the Plaza alluded to be carried out,
some S25 900 or $4,000 will be invested,
which will form branch of industry that will
add greatly to the business prosperity of our
city; and We can but hope that the plans now
maturing will be p rfected. As an instance
of Mr.. Lambard's enterprise. and as showing
TIL capacity Of his present establishment,
even, may mention that he recently
turpe out % freight platform cars in thir-
teen DAYS time. We can say nothing in
praise of Mr.. Lambard's energy and public
spi 1t not already known to our citizens, and
we wish, Tor our city's good we had dozen
such men as he.
The most prominent addition 10 our street
architecture, if we except other new buildings
at the south end of Water street, is the mag
nifcent publishing house of +. c. Allen, near
Market square. This fine building, by far
the most complete and perfectly appointed
publishing establishment in New England,
outside of Boston, is rapidly approaching
completion, and has been occupied by Mr..
Aliens working force for some time. Mr..
George G. Stevens is the builder.
Ofdomestc architecture the most noticeable
feature is the new house of VIM. ii. Libby,
Esq, on the east side, of which we have al
ready given quite full description. Follow
ing next to this in cost and pretentions, is
perhaps, the house of Mr.. S. L. Robinson, of
the firm of Deering, liolway & Co., situated
on Pleasant street. This is % by 80 feet,
of decided architectural character and most
thoroughly built. Mr.. Wyman is the builder.