05/18/2024
A picture from before 1907 of the Mill Pond. Look at the Old Town Hall (the CoBACH Center) and the surrounding area, it is amazing how things have changed since then.
Brighton’s Original Millpond:
This grainy photo looking north towards the Old Town Hall (COBACH Center) was taken before 1907. We can identify 1907 as the latest year for this cool old photo because the wooden bridge over Ore Creek in front of Old Town Hall was replaced with a concrete bridge in 1907.
There are four structures that can be identified in this photo.
Old Town Hall: Built in 1879 as the city’s first municipal building. The newly formed fire department now had a home for their fire fighting equipment wagon. The four wheeled wagon was pulled by men and held ladders, hoses, fire extinguishers and a manual pumping mechanism. The second floor served as the court room, city office, and social center where dances were held. Before this building was built you would have found the G C Westphal Hardware Store located here from about 1870-1875 when it perished by fire. It is very possible the same field stone foundation was reused based on looking at the building footprint on an 1875 map.
St Paul Episcopal Church: Built in 1881, the church is seen to the right and behind the Old Town Hall. The church is located on a former orchard where their religious services were held. Rev Clark purchased this land in the 1830s.
Three Story Building in the Trees: Earliest information shows this structure as a wood shop. It likely was used as a fabrication shop for wagons and carriages. Its lowest level was built with a field stone foundation that was constructed in the 1860-1875 period based on early map evidence. In the 1930s a veterinarian, Dr Freshour, had his practice there. The 1940s saw A I O’Dell auto repair business operating at this structure. In the 1950s the Jarvis Men Store was found at this 205 W Main Street address. Today, Jezebels Saloon is home there.
Millpond Dam: This photo is taken from the 1838 gristmill built by Orville Quakenbush. The water on the right side of the dam is the millpond. Its purpose was to supply water to turn a water wheel which in turn rotated a grind stone against a fixed stone and crush the grains to make flour. The Ore Creek water that was not required for milling flowed to the left over the dam and then downstream. The mill structure was removed in 1948. This dam was likely modified many times over the years until it failed in 1952. The new dam was built in 1955 on the north side of Main St.
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