The Red Mill

The Red Mill, on the bank of the West Branch River across from the cemetery, operated the first electric power generator in Colrain, beginning in 1904. Operator Frederick Purrington provided current to local homes until midnight, when he went to bed. On request, he would stay open until 1 a.m. for house parties, unless he forgot. 

But the mill had a long history as a grist mill operated by Joseph Smith beginning in the early 1800s, also producing wooden grain measures, soap boxes and later butter boxes, and heavy shipping boxes called shooks. Leo and Lawrence Lively operated the box shop until 1943, when Carl Sewell bought and operated the business. Destroyed by fire in 1947, it was remodeled as a home for the Sewells. ​

In this photo, dated sometime after 1913, you can see the box shop to the left of what became the Sewell home.